UPDATE 11/29/2022: The William & Mary Club Rowing fundraiser will no longer be able to offer in-person community miles due to insurance difficulties. Anyone hoping to run with the club can do so virtually. A zoom link will still be available by completing the participation form. The hot chocolate stand has also been moved from Richmond road to the Sadler Center Terrace.
WILLIAMSBURG — The William & Mary Club Rowing Team is piloting a brand-new fundraiser this year called “The Mile an Hour Marathon” on Dec. 2 and 3.
The student-driven organization promotes self-improvement and leadership skills through rowing in a healthy team environment. The team is not funded by the William & Mary Athletics Departments and thus relies on individual and team fundraising efforts.
According to its Facebook page, the team plans to run a mile at the top of every hour for 26 straight hours, with mile one beginning at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 and Mile 26 at 8 p.m. on Dec. 3.
There will also be time set aside for community miles, where members of the community can register to support the team by running with them.
Miles will be run across Williamsburg, and virtual registration is open for free for anyone wanting to run with the team.
“Coming to college, you move away and that means you lose a lot of the stability you’ve built up in going through the high school routine but joining the rowing team, it’s like you get back that immediate sense of bonding.” freshmen team member Alex Duall explained. “These sorts of relationships that we build on the team are so valuable when you’re new.”
Between miles, the team is sponsoring events, including fundraising at a booth near the Cheese Shop in Colonial Williamsburg during the Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. to noon, hosting a Hot Chocolate stand on Richmond Road, and running various social media campaigns.
The money raised will help the team be able to compete in the May 2022 ACRA National Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, helping to cover the cost of travel, accommodation and uniforms.
The community miles will take place on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Colonial Williamsburg Farmer’s Market, and at 8 p.m. at the finish line. Information on registration for community miles as well as how to donate to help the team can be found on the William & Mary Club Rowing “Mile-an-Hour” event page on Facebook.
