In Virginia, Louisa County High School is 105 miles away from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Monday, teacher Katharine Fletcher set off from the school committed to running the entire way.
This is an annual event for Fletcher that started with a 50 mile run on the school’s track back in 2016. Each year the teacher has increased the challenge of the run, except for last year’s event which had to be canceled due to COVID-19. Over the years, she’s raised more than $70-thousand to help pay for college for students who’ve had to overcome adversity. This year her goal is to raise $50-thousand.
Louisa County school superintendent Doug Straley says the school is lucky to have a teacher like Fletcher, so dedicated to her students’ success. "Not every day does someone run to the Capitol, a hundred plus miles away. We're just so blessed to have her here with our students each and every day," he says. For Fletcher, it’s not just about raising the money, but also about teaching the students to overcome their self-doubt. “I'm hoping that they see that they can do more in whatever road they're going to travel in life," she says. I also want them to remember that doing things for others is what makes life wonderful!"
On Tuesday NBC 29 reported that she arrived. “There were times where I was really doubting myself, where I was afraid that I wouldn’t make it here. It was harder than I imagined but I kept saying just a few more steps. That is pretty much what I said the last 20 miles".
- Anyone who wants to donate to Fletcher’s cause can do so here.