President Ryan to Run 26 Miles for 26 Teachers

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan is on the run again – this time, in honor of teachers.

Monday – “Patriots' Day” in Massachusetts – brings the 121st annual Boston Marathon, and Ryan will run the race for the ninth time. Continuing a tradition he started as dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Ryan will dedicate his run to beloved educators.

“Running and teaching are two of my biggest passions,” Ryan said. “Running the Boston Marathon in support of teachers has become a personal tradition and I’m honored to be able to bring the tradition to UVA and support the important work of educators.”

On Monday, Ryan will hit the pavement with the names of 26 teachers – one for each mile – adorning the back of his T-shirt. Each of the 26 names was submitted by a donor to UVA’s Curry School of Education and Human Development. Along with a $260 donation, donors had the opportunity to name an educator who made a difference in their lives.

Sponsor Jane Batten wrote about her nominee, Diane Wallace, “Exceptionally dedicated teacher of fourth-grade boys for the past 52 years at Norfolk Academy – a loving and gifted teacher who is adored by all.”

Robert Pianta, dean of the Curry School, nominated his former teacher, Bernard Kenyon.

“If we believe that educators can transform lives, then Bernard Kenyon is the best exemplar I know,” Pianta wrote. “For almost 60 years, he proved the power of a teacher in the lives of teenagers – mostly through his simple affirmation of their value as people and their potential as learners.”

An avid distance runner, Ryan has used his love of the sport to build bridges and bring people together throughout the UVA and Charlottesville communities. His inauguration weekend in October included the Community Bridges 5k fundraiser, and he ran last year’s Richmond Marathon in support of Madison House, the independent, nonprofit volunteer center for UVA students. He’s also taken to hosting regular morning runs around Grounds – followed by bagels on the steps of Madison Hall. Most recently, Ryan strapped on his running shoes to run with about 130 members of the UVA community in Minneapolis, hours before the Cavalier basketball team won its first national championship, downing Texas Tech, 85-77, in a thrilling overtime duel.

You can follow along on Monday through Ryan’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. To support Ryan’s run and to view the full list of teachers who were nominated, click here.