ROCHESTER, N.Y. — This year, student-athletes at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester returned for the 45th edition of their 25-Hour Relay. The annual event, which began in 1979, was originally conceived as a way for the team to reconnect during the summer. This year, however, the event took on an even more meaningful purpose: raising money for blind athletes in upstate New York.

What You Need To Know

  • McQuaid Jesuit High School's 25-hour relay raised funds to support blind athletes in upstate New York

  • The annual event began in 1979

  • The event successfully met its $3,000 fundraising goal

Head cross country and track & field coach Todd Stewart reflected on the event's origins.

"This whole event started back in 1979," said Stewart. "It was just a few of the captains who had this idea as a way to get the team back together for the summer."

The funds raised from this year's relay will support Upstate New York Blind Recreation, an organization dedicated to helping blind and visually impaired athletes compete and be part of a community.

Max Schneittman, the cross country captain at McQuaid Jesuit, emphasized the importance of this cause.

"In New York City, it's really common for people to be able to compete in athletics, but with a smaller population, it's not as easy for them," said Schneittman. "So, Upstate New York Blind Recreation gives that opportunity."

For 25 sleepless hours, the baton kept moving around the track as students ran in shifts. With tents set up and sleeping bags ready, the McQuaid Jesuit community came together in a shared effort to support the cause.

"We've got a baton going around the track; it stays going around the track for 25 hours," Schneittman said. "People will walk, people will run, people will crawl if they can."

"They get a whole lot of help from a whole lot of candy; these guys go on a sugar high like no other," Coach Stewart added.

The event wasn't limited to just the student-athletes. Blind and visually impaired runners also participated, running with guides to raise money for the cause.

"We just had five blind runners on the track with guides, so if you can run, you can go," Schneittman noted.

Jamie Weedman, a blind athlete who participated in the relay, shared her personal connection to the cause.

"I ran track in high school, starting out at the School for the Blind in Kentucky," she said. "What I loved so much about that was we would compete against other schools for the blind throughout the country. The relay is great, but what I think is very important is that it's raising money for blind athletes."

The event was a community effort, with supporters from the area joining in as well. The goal was to raise $3,000, and that goal was met.

Schneittman summed up the spirit of the event.

"It's so much fun seeing all these people getting their opportunities to come out and run, especially with people that can't always run so easily and they might need a guide," said Schneittman. "I love running and I just like to spread that joy."