Oxford Academy’s 400 building teachers and track stars Mrs. Danielle Heath and Mrs. Catherine Fong participated in the 2024 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 14.
Longtime runners, yearbook adviser, business pathway, and CCR teacher Mrs. Heath oversees junior high intramural sports, while AP English Language teacher and ASB-OATV adviser Mrs. Fong coaches junior high cross country.
The premier race, hosted by the Bank of America, has witnessed numerous world records since its founding in 1977, and is part of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors in Chicago, Boston, New York, Berlin, London, and Tokyo. Considered the largest and most renowned marathons in the running scene, the Majors are recognized for their competitive qualifications and famed ‘star’ medals upon completion of all six marathons.
Fong started running in 2015 to help a student “out of a funk,” tapping into the student’s passion for running and receiving coaching from them. The Chicago Marathon is her first of the six ‘Majors.’ Back in May of 2023, she ran her second-ever marathon, striving to qualify for the Chicago Marathon. The qualification cut off was 4 hours and 20 minutes for entry, and Fong ran a 4:14.
“This race was a part of my dreams,” said Fong. “The last marathon I was in, I did very poorly […] I did not reach the goals I had for myself. This one was […] part of my dream and part of my redemption, and a celebration of all my hard work.”
A cross country runner, swimmer, and lifeguard in high school, as well as a current masters swimmer and full-time runner, Heath is no novice to difficult feats of athleticism, either. She has finished six marathons so far, with more to come; The Chicago Marathon is her second ‘Major, her first being the New York Marathon in 2022.
“The whole course is lined with people cheering the entire time. I wore a tank top with my name on it, so people were shouting my name the whole time […] because I thought I needed all the help I could get,” said Heath.
This year, the Chicago Marathon course had 52,150 finishers, breaking its attendance record.
“There was cheering all along the way,” said Fong. “I think what made it so different was my support system from my friends, family, even my students.”
While Fong states she is content with her one ‘star,’ she enjoys the social aspect of running as well and looks forward to running in more new places. Heath is striving to receive all six of the World Marathon Major ‘stars’, and is currently training to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
