Video: Marshall Road Elementary Students Run 2,000 Miles To Help Build New Track

How far would students run for their own track?

On Friday morning, the answer was a total of 2,000 miles, as students, teachers and community members completed more than 8,000 laps around the field on which they hope to build a two to three lane track, as part of the school's "Trotting for a Track" Run-a-thon.

The project is part of the school's year-long "50 For 50" initiative, an effort to complete 50 projects that give back to the community as a celebration of its the 50th year in Vienna.

So far, the school has completed about eight or nine projects; the track is the 11th on their list, said PTA President Beth Eachus. It would not only be open to students, teachers and after-school programs, but also the community at-large, adding another space for community and charity events.

For the past several weeks, students have raised money through donations from family, friends and their teachers, who sponsored them by number of laps, by times, or for the event as a whole.

On Friday morning, a pack of sweatpants and sneakers flooded the hallways and the back of the school as students handed in red lap counter cards to be marked each time they crossed the starting line.

Principal Jen Heiges said the project was particularly motivating for the children because they they had a stake in seeing it through; there was a very real, tangible outcome that would help the entire community, she said.

"It's a cool project that everyone is embracing," Heiges said.

For a glimpse of the runathon, watch the video in the media player above.

The fundraiser runs through Dec. 2. For more information about the project and the school's "50 for 50" initative, click here.