Pictured: Pikangikum First Nation team showing off their medals at the Grand Cayman Marathon 2018

Sarah Mork was proud to cross the half marathon finish line at the Healthy Horizons 2018 Destination Marathon – but she was even prouder of the students she helped coach towards the same goal.

Mork is a teacher in Pikangikum, a First Nation community in northwest Ontario, and is one of the coaches who trained students for the big event in Grand Cayman in December.

To prepare for the half marathon, the team trained three times a week, including long runs on Saturdays for four hours.

“The kids have been working so hard. I’m so impressed with their commitment and their dedication,” said Mork, who is originally from Hamilton.  

Pictured: Teacher and Coach Sarah Mork after the Healthy Horizons half marathon

Mork said the students she coached for the race had never travelled outside of the country, and were very excited for the opportunity.

“Running this half marathon shows the kids that they can do hard things, and that they can achieve the goals that they set for themselves. The world is a big place, and they can do big things in it,” added Mork.

The Healthy Horizons destination marathon is an annual fundraising initiative and active living event held at a different international location every year. Leading up to the event, runners commit to extensive training while raising support for the foundation. Funds raised support the activities of the foundation, which foster a lifelong connection to physical activity and healthy living.