By Jackson Preston-Werner, 12
August 14, 2024 was the day that changed WriCampia’s cardiovascular health forever. It was the day that Harrison, one of the counselors for Bunk 38, first led Running Club. Although WriCampia has played host to multiple informal running clubs over the years, this running club was different not just because of its huge runner count on the first day, but also because this club met daily prior to breakfast. With the exception of the long weekend after the dance, it has been active every day since its formation, as of writing this article.
When the first session of the running club began, many (including counselors who were tasked with awakening their exercise-minded charges) wondered aloud why the running club had to take place at 7:00 in the morning. In an interview exclusive with The WriCampian, Harrison revealed that this was because some campers had approached him to tell him that they did sports during the school year, and wanted to stay in shape without interrupting their schedules.
Asked what he likes about running, Harrison said, “It’s meditative.” Asked why someone should run he replied by saying it’s healthy, most people can do it, and that it’s free and very accessible. The longest run Harrison has ever gone on took him three-and-a-half hours, and that was during a 17-mile run! That’s like running across 238 football fields! Now compare that to the first time Harrison ever went for a run, which was during the pandemic, and covered a distance of only a quarter of a mile. Now I don’t know about you, but that is a big difference between when Harrison first ran and his longest run. Both runs were accomplished one step at a time.
