The air is heavy with tension and anticipation. This is it, the moment you’ve been training for. 

The heat is intense and relentless. But the team is depending on you. 

What is it? The Ragnar. A 200 mile relay race over the span of 24 hours as teams travel by van, where they rest when they aren’t running, and cover anywhere from 11-25 miles per person. The Liberty Boys’ Cross Country team conquered this race over the summer, creating a memory they’ll have for a lifetime. 

Their preparation was just the beginning of the experience, with several members of the team running 50 miles on a weekly basis beforehand.

“Running 50 miles a week was an essential part to our success; it definitely showed in who trained,” junior Rhone Eiler said.

During the race, the athletes were tired and sleep deprived. Most of them had only gotten a couple hours of sleep if they were able to rest in the crowded vans at all.

“The hardest part of the race for me was probably staying up for over 24 hours and then having to run at like two in the morning,” Eiler stated. 

Imagine this: clothes, bags, and gear thrown everywhere, and you have to find somewhere to shut your eyes before your leg of the race- Not an easy task.

So, how did they do it?

“Whenever I was not eating or running, I would take the time to sleep, actually close my eyes, and lie down on my back,” junior Oscar Arnaiz said. 

What they chose to prioritize during breaks from running affected how they competed, whether that time was spent eating, sleeping, or encouraging a teammate.

The team’s overall drive and competitive spirit also played a significant role in being able to persevere throughout the 24-hour stretch. 

“What motivated me was my teammates and a friendly competition among the team,” junior Preston Coleman said. 

The aspect of having a team to compete alongside also brought them a meaningfulness to keep going.

The team ended up finishing second, a mere five minutes behind the first place team.

“I came out of it knowing I was able to push myself and accomplish something hard even though I’d never done an all-nighter before,” Coleman said. “High school is the time to make memories and try new challenging things, even if they seem scary. Do it scared!”