Every year since 2016, Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher has laced up her running shoes and hit the pavement—not just for fitness, but for her students' futures.
Fletcher’s annual "Lion Pride Run" has become a cherished tradition in her Virginia community, raising more than $100,000 in scholarships for over 60 students to help with college costs.
What makes the run even more inspiring? Fletcher adds a new twist every year. In 2022, she ran nonstop for 24 hours on the school’s track. Another year, she conquered a jaw-dropping 105-mile trek. This year's run is a tribute to the school's theme of "Be the Coffee Bean," which is about transforming the environment around you for the better.
Each challenge is a testament to her dedication—not just to running, but to her students.
"This run gives a lot of scholarship funds to kids who really need it every year. So that is what inspires me even when I'm definitely hurting," Fletcher said as she reached the midpoint of this year's run at a Dunkin’ Donuts on Thursday morning.