Throughout an astonishing 3,100-mile foot race that ended yesterday, North Canton runner Alex Ramsey was fueled with support from Summit Academy Akron Middle School Community Culture Coordinator Tom Fausnight, and the school’s students. Ramsey, whom Fausnight coached in wrestling from middle school to high school, was the only American runner in the Sri Chimnoy Self-Transcendence ultra race. He placed fourth in the 10-runner marathon, which started August 20 and took place in Jamaica Queens, N.Y.
Ramsey connected with the students over the past couple months. He learned about them through tidbits Fausnight shared with him. “Alex responded saying that he was dedicating laps to our students,” Fausnight says.
Crossing the finish line with a wide smile on his face, Ramsey is only the third U.S. man in history to finish what is known as the world’s longest certified footrace. He did so in 50 days, 3 hours, 53 minutes and 11 seconds. Ramsey is the second fastest man in U.S. history, according to a race representative
“This has been such a beautiful place for me to bring forth my full capacity,” Ramsey said before a crowd of fans, family members and fellow runners after he finished the race October 20.
Fausnight and social studies teacher Ashley Ruess worked in tandem to inspire the middle school students to “lift up someone [Ramsey] they have never met,” Fausnight explains, adding that the students now know Ramsey at a deep level. They have cheered him on through video visits, words of affirmation and even a “Good Luck Alex” poster which Fausnight brought the race October 10, when he traveled to New York to support Ramsey as he ran lap after lap around a city block.
“It was one of the most impactful moments of my life,” says Fausnight, describing the joy of shared fellowship among Alex’s supporters who also enveloped him with gratitude for the support he poured out to Ramsey throughout the race.
“The course will never be the same because Alex was there. He has just lit up Queens, New York,” says Fausnight.
Ramsey is expected to visit the students after he recovers from the race. Fausnight says the runner looks forward to meeting students, some of whom Ramsey says remind him of his younger self.