They ran in the frigid sun of the day. They ran in the night under a cold January crescent moon. They ran and they ran. People came out and ran with them. The parents with infants in strollers. An old veteran marathoner at 5:30 a.m. jogging along with young runners peeling off the miles. The ALERT helicopter crew flew in, and they walked for an hour and then flew back out.

They did it all for Hazel Alexander, a Columbia Falls junior and cross team member who was severely injured in a collision when the driver of an alleged stolen vehicle ran a red light and T-boned her car earlier this month.

Officially, her fellow cross country team members and coaches ran 1,580 laps around the high school track from 4 p.m., Jan. 23 to 4 p.m., Jan. 24. Just shy of 400 miles.

Three cross country team members ran more than 30 miles apiece. 

They raised $26,227.71 in direct donations, with thousands more expected from business pledges, some of which pledged as much as $1 a lap.

The expectation is the donations will reach more than $30,000.

Cross country coach Jim Peacock gave an impassioned speech to the crowd of supporters and runners after the event.

“It always amazes me how the community comes together when people need it. Hazel is an incredible kid. And I’m really happy that we were able to  do something for her and I appreciate you guys and the effort you put in,” he said.

He thanked everyone who helped. Some kids ran, went to play in the pep band, and then came back and ran some more. Others ran before heading out to other sporting events, or for the divisional speech and debate tournament.

Every lap they took, they dropped a small stone in a 5-gallon pail along the track.

Peacock spoke to the broader support as well.

“[Hazel] is going to need us for years. It’s not over in 24 hours. Let’s keep being there for her,” he said.

He noted that people have made fun of him over the years for wearing a shirt that says “It’s a great day to run,” and it might be raining or cold or just a miserable day.

That’s not the point, he noted.

“It means we can, right? Things are precious. Things can be taken away from you in a heartbeat,” he said.  “... It means be thankful for what you have. Celebrate you have an able body, and honor it.”

Student organizer and cross country runner River Blazejewski also thanked everyone who helped.

“We put our hearts, legs and lungs on the line for 24 hours and I know Hazel would have done the same for us,” he said.