by: Rick Foster Sun Chronicle

Martin Tighe's race ended early, but school officials, high school students and volunteers Monday night saluted the teacher and track coach's world record attempt last month that succeeded better than he could have hoped.

Tight, an adjustment counselor at The Network alternative high school program, go 40 miles into his attempt to break the world treadmill record of running 154 miles in 24 hours before collapsing.

But dozens of volunteers, including members of the boys and girls' track teams who skipped a high-profile state meet, ran the distance in relays April 29 in Tighe's stead.

Tighe's daughter, Hannah, completed the last mile just before noon on April 30 to span the symbolic 160 mile distance. "You were just phenomenal," Tighe told the audience composed of hundreds of athletes, students, parents and school officials at the high school auditorium. "Nothing could have prepared me for what happened that Saturday morning."

The "Go The Distance" program raised thousands of dollars to support the alternative program, which caters to drop-outs and students who have difficulty performing well in a traditional high school. It also drew attention to the need for alternative ways of reaching students to help them succeed, said Kathy Vespia, director of The Network.

Tighe is an accomplished track athlete who trained for weeks in a walk-in freezer before winning an ultra marathon to the North Pole.

Although Tighe was unable to complete the 24-hour attempt, he managed to set four record in a similar, 12-hour run held in March.

The Students and volunteers' decision to take over for Tighe attracted wide publicity and Dan Ashworth, a North Attleboro maker of custom awards, distributed dozens of specially-minted commemorative medals Monday made for the event.

The run and its aftermath were documented in a half-hour documentary film assembled by Donna Brousseau, whose climax showed Tighe being greeted triumphantly after returning from treatment at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

State Reps. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, and John Lepper, R-Attleboro, presented both Tighe and members of the Attleboro High track team citations from the House of Representatives marking their achievement.

Vespia and Attleboro High School Principal Jackie Proulx both addressed the crowd prior to Monday night's school committee meeting, as did Network students Jessica Walenty and Mike Dreher and track co-captains Eric King and Adam Austin.

Tighe said he's already been asked whether he  intends to make another 24-hour record attempt.

"For the answer to that, you'll have to talk to my wife," said Tighe who cited his wife. Marcia, and family as a source of support and inspiration.

Tighe said that while he was unable to complete the run himself, he rates the attempt as a great success.

"Unfortunately I could not go the distance that day," said Tighe, who received a standing ovation." "That happens. That's a reality of life. But the Attleboro community, the Athletes and the students, you really did go the distance and you brought the whole project to another level never could have envisioned."