Miles that Matter is not a race. There isn’t even a registration form. It’s just a community event, anchored by the cross-country team at Sunset High School, that raises funds for Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and the XC program at Sunset.
The event is scheduled for Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, running from 10a until 10a over a 24-hour period. During that time, the cross-country teammates and their friends, families, teachers, and fellow runners and walkers will attempt to run at least 1,000 miles. At least one person will be running on the track at all times, and at around 9:50 on Saturday morning, there will be a “last mile” run where everyone is invited to count off four laps together.
This is the 2nd year for the event, with plans well underway to make it an annual happening. Organizer Daniel Neeway, who is the XC coach at Sunset, says, “We relish the community’s involvement but there is no registration, no registration fee, and very little structure – outside of the 24 hour window and our desire to have everyone doing their miles on the track.”
XC team members collect pledges – per mile, per lap, per total time run, or a flat donation, and then go run. In 2014, the event’s first running, the team raise more than $10,000. This year, their goal is to surpass $15,000. Half of the funds raised go to Sunset HS XC, the other half to Shriner’s. The run is just one aspect of the team’s pledge drive, but one that offers community members a chance to take part in addition to contributing money.
It’s a low-key event – there’s no food provided, but the lights (and some tunes) will be on all night and there will be restrooms available.
So, whether you want to join them for the entire event and attempt a 24-hour run, stop by on your way home and run a few laps, or turn it into a group run sometime during the run, stop on by. And if you want to just help them out and donate some money, that’s great too – simply Send checks made out to Sunset Cross Country to 13840 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97229. Send any questions, or offers to volunteer, to SHS XC Coach Dan Neeway at daniel.neeway at beaverton.k12.or.us and he’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
When: Friday, August 14, 2015 and Saturday, August 15, 2015
What time: From 10a on the 14th until 10a on the 15th
Where: Sunset High School at 13840 NW Cornell Rd. in Portland
Register: None – just show up. Bring your own food and drink; chairs, blankets, etc. If you want to keep track of your laps, you may have a crew there as well to count for you.
