WE DID IT. The last 2 weeks of preparation all came down to this one day, and oh god did we outdo it this time. We had a couple of challenges in the beginning like half of our service leaders arriving 30 minutes later than they should’ve been😭and us having to frantically change the groups up at the last minute to people who were available. We also had a huge debacle where the van (with groups 1-3) and the car (with Jed and the driver) split up WHICH WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, so Mr. LeBlanc and Jed had to sort the whole thing out over a stressful phone call. While all of this was happening the school entrance was packed full of people, Darius and Isa were widely racking in the money, coming in from all sides, while marking each runner to ensure they were paid, the rest of the kids were sat next to the driveway waiting for the van to come pick them up (which had only completed 2 of the stops at 7:50, 10 minutes before we were supposed to be starting🤠), and I was running around letting everyone know what was happening, keeping the team updated on Jeds whereabouts. Eventually, the van and car dropped everyone off and raced back to OSC to pick the other half up.

I got in the car with Jed and tried to sort everything out as quickly as possible. The drivers didn’t understand the route very well so Mr. Lockwood aided us in explaining everything where it needed to be. We dropped stops 4, 5, and 6 where they were appointed, and then again Mr. Lockwood saved the day by taking my spot so I could go around in the car helping Jed to make sure everything was running smoothly. We zoomed back to school checking to see if everyone had left (they had), then started our way to stops 1-3 to pick up their chairs and tables. Stop 3 was when we got a phone call from Mr. LeBlanc telling us there were no water cups at stop 5, I took the paper cups from the van and started sprinting towards the lake. Mind you I was in Crocs having to full-on sprint 850 meters, losing 2 of my LeBron James Crocs jibbitz🪦R.I.P🪦 I managed to reach the stop after 5 minutes, passing many thirsty runners (including Vicky, Amy, Darya, Nay, and Stephie) I gave the cups to their table just in time for a large group of walkers to get replenished. Mr. LeBlanc was nearby and instructed me to run over to an area where we had no stops at, only Mr. Polous on the bike, who was instructing people where to go. I once again got into sports mode😉💪and zoomed over the spot.

I stood there for roughly 15 minutes before turning back after the last 2 walkers had passed me. I hopped back into the car, with Maya, Arnav, and Jed, sweaty and smelling like sour yogurt who all were complaining to me that I didn’t tell them I left (even tho I did and saved the day😎). We slowly followed Mr. Saleh and Ms. De Cock, who decided to stop to look at a furniture store, recreating the exact same moment from last year😭 We got impatient and rushed them off, snailing our way back to school. We were met with excited faces. WE HAD DONE IT and were extremely elated to find out we made over double what we made last year, 150,000 lkr with a record-breaking 84 runners in attendance. UGHHHH what a long day it had been but was a very enjoyable, rewarding experience.

What we need to work on next year:

• Take the drivers on the route the weekend prior, to avoid confusion when dropping off at stops
• More cups at water stops
• Possibly sell king coconut (was planning on doing so, but was too short notice)
• Have more stops spread out (especially in areas where confusion of where to go)
  • Areas where Darius & I moved to
• Earlier leaving time for groups and more strict with meeting time (there were too many people who came late –> caused last minute changes w/ shouldn’t have been needed)
• Kiddy run in school (collab with Ms. Sue)

Final Groups:

• Car: Jed
• 1&7: Saski/Arnav/abeer
• 2: Sofia/Connor/Leia
• 3: Maya/Shanella/Ain
• 4: Aileen/Darius/Ashani
• 5: Gabe/isa/Sungjun
• 6: Zuzu/Ansel
• Bike: Mr Polous