St. Martha students rally for marathon-bound teacher

St. Martha Catholic School teacher Ariana Gallegos ran through a tunnel of students cheering and waving Thursday afternoon. 

Students held a quick pep rally to send off the 2nd grade teacher who will be competing in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this weekend. Classes in attendance waved pompoms made of streamers, megaphones made from paper and american flags to show their support for Gallegos and her four friends who will be running the marathon as well. They celebrated with cheers and sent the runners off with a prayer for a successful run. 

Gallegos has been using her training as an example to teach students about working for their goals. 

"They think I'm actually running to Chicago," Gallegos said. "I think just putting the work in and dedicating your time and effort to a goal is the lesson. It's not about winning but about hard work and finishing."

Gallegos will be running in her second attempt at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The group which includes Darlene Warm, Carolyn Stiff, Jenna O'Horan and Gina Ferlise has been training for four months together and refer to themselves as team #WeRunSRQ. Ferlise will be running as a representative and to promote awareness for the Special Olympics. The group will depart for Chicago tomorrow morning and prepare for the race that will take place on Sunday.