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Jeffers conquers O.C. half-marathon
By Joy Bennett
J-Lab Staff Writer
There are many ways to stay in shape, and many sports to participate in to motivate students to get fit. For the seven students who recently participated in two half-marathons, running is the preferred road to fitness.
For Rachel Jeffers, it started out as a fun way to achieve a goal. She had wanted to run in the Orange County Marathon, in southern California, for a while, so she and some friends decided to run together. Jeffers started training last summer, and, although her friends eventually dropped out, she kept working. Never having run beyond a basic exercise mile, Jeffers started adding a mile a week to her morning run, working up to the 13.1 mile half-marathon.
Jeffers chose to run in the Orange County Marathon for personal reasons. “My cousin died quite a few years ago from leukemia,” she said. So she selected the race that benefits children’s organizations. According to the marathon’s web site, 13 various children’s charities benefited from the 2008 OC Marathon, which has generated more then $1.7 million for the foundations over the last three years.
Among all four of the races under the OC Marathon name, over 12,000 runners joined Jeffers for the marathons on Jan. 6.
While not sure which marathon she will set her sights on next, Jeffers does intend to run again.
"You realize how much you can do,” she said. “I learned, if I put my mind to it, I can do it.”
Jeffers isn't alone. Several other students on campus run regularly.
“Running is not at all like other sports, because runners are never out of season; we train even when we aren't in an organized season,” said Brian Beeson, a business management major and runner.
Beeson and several others recently ran in the Cascade Half-Marathon at Cascade High School. According to Norm Berney, the cross country coach, the qualifying time for the NAIA Nationals in the 13.1 mile half-marathon is one hour and 30 minutes.
Danielle Jordan finished in one hour and 29 minutes. “It was close. I believe I was only under the qualification standard by 40 seconds, not much in an hour-and-a-half race,” she said.
Jordan, a social science major, transferred to Corban two years ago from Liberty University. She runs because, “Both my parents were runners, so I picked it up from them,” she said. “I enjoy the physical exercise, the social aspect with teammates, and sometimes even the competition. Most of all, running is a chance for me to think and pray.”
Beeson also had a reason. “I run because God gave me a little bit of talent in something I really enjoy, and I want to please Him with the gift.”
Both Beeson and Jordan have been running for years, Beeson since his freshman year of high school and Jordan since she was 10.
“I've really learned how to push my body and discipline myself to work hard,” said Beeson.
Jordan agreed. “To me, it has taught me so many valuable lessons in character, in work ethic, in cooperation with others, and in discipline. Running also is a great example of our spiritual walk,” she continued. “In some ways, it has helped me grow in my faith, seeing the parallel between faith and running.”
“Staying in shape will be a life long process though,” Jordan said.“I believe I will always continue to run as long as God gives me the health to do it.”
