MINERAL (WINA) – Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher is on her way to DC… as fast as her legs can carry her. She started on a cold April morning around 9am Monday her run from the high school to the Reflecting Pool in DC, raising money for college scholarships for Louisa County students who may not otherwise be able to afford to go. Fletcher said prior to the start she’s been training for months, running longer and more than most people think to do. That was in preparation to a very hilly 105 mile run.

She’s been joined at times by running partners, but along with her all the way is a sheriff’s escort behind her keeping her safe. Also with her this year are people taking photos of her run and posting them to a Pride Run Facebook page, which you can access by clicking here. A lot of content will also be posted to the LCPS Facebook page, which is here.

She’s done this run for 6 years, skipping last year because of COVID. She says many Louisa County small businesses donate to this cause, and she did not want to burden them as they tried to make it through a pandemic economy. In 2020, she ran from the high school to Richmond (about 52 miles); and in 2019 she ran to each school in the county. She has run close to the distance she’s running this year when she ran 100 miles around the track at Louisa County High School. Of course, this 105 miles is more challenging because of hills that are not on the track.

She says not only is the run a way to raise money, but it’s also symbolic.

“It’s raising money for those students who’ve overcome challenging, been willing to climb all those tough hills, gone down into some valleys, but overcome and continue on a harder path to reach their goals.”

She says every run has ebbs and flows, and in the tough times she thinks of these striving students and it motivates her to push through.

Click here for the entire story of the Lion Pride Run… and to make a donation.