Langston Hughes Elementary students participate in the Bobcat marathon before school Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008. Students are attempting to run a total of 26.2 miles before school on Mondays and Thursdays in one school year.

?If it’s sunny and 80 degrees, they run.

If it’s windy and 20 degrees, they run.

Students participating in the Bobcat Marathon at Langston Hughes School hit the ground running at 8 a.m. every Monday and Thursday to reach their ultimate goal — run a total 26.2 miles before the school year is up.

“It’s hard for some people,” said sixth-grader Shane Hofer.

He’s participated and finished the marathon each of the three years it’s been an activity. “I don’t like getting up early in the morning.”

Not only is it early, but once winter weather comes into town, it’s even harder to leave a warm bed to run outside in the cold.

“We cancel marathon club on days that it feels like 15 degrees outside or if there’s ice on the sidewalk,” said parent Carrie Mandigo, who is co-chair of the marathon.

Otherwise, the kids are on the move.

“The wind comes in your face,” said fourth-grader Kari Keating, who completed her 26.2 miles for the year. And even though she’s reached the goal, she says she’ll keep coming in the mornings.

“It gives you good exercise.”

The cold just adds a layer of difficulty for Hofer. “The only way to block the cold is to get jackets or get numb.”

About 75 students show up twice a week to run. The course is different this year — instead of running up and down George Williams Way, they run through DeVictor Park. Each lap is one mile. They have until 8:15 to start running and when they finish, it’s across the street to school, where classes start at 8:45 a.m.

“We try to encourage just the wellness aspect of it, tell them it’s not a competition, it’s not a race,” said Mandigo. “They can walk or run. But they’re so excited about it they’re raring to go and they all just take off running.”

But the best part about finishing the marathon for the kids is the recognition.

“You get a T-shirt and people clap for you,” said Keating.