We Run Cheongna (WRC) is a fall athletics running event that serves as an annual tradition at Cheongna Dalton School in purpose of promoting school identity through lifelong activity. It used to happen just around a single block of school, but for the past two years, it was enhanced to now run around a Lake Park. It stretches across the heart of Cheongna International City in Incheon, which discloses the local beauty of alluring scenes. It covers up to 5km track in which the track is filled with gym equipments and fountains on the way.
 

The 2018 WRC was held on October 12 at the Lake Park. It required all students to participate, even the middle school department. While middle school ran 3km race, high school (HS) boys and girls had to participate in a 5 km race. The first, second, and third places were rewarded as an annual tradition after the race for each boys and girls.
 

It marked the beginning of the race when the whistle was blown. Most of the students shuffled their way through and began running, while some decided to trot along the track and chat with their friends. The race was not easy, yet challenging, as it required people to run uphill roads multiple times. There were extremely fast runners who led the race and I was completely inspired. For the first ten minutes, I was able to control my pace and keep it up with my friends. However, as soon as my friends encountered an uphill course, we decided to slow down and eventually ended the race nearly to last place. Some of my other friends were very competitive, especially those who were in a cross country team as they were required to beat their own record.
 

The boys were led by sophomore Seung Kwan Park, while the girls were led by sophomore Nayoung Kim. After the race, both were awarded with a trophy and were interviewed.
 

Interview of Seung Kwan Park:
Q: How do you feel about being first place?
A: I’m very happy but I tried to beat Mr. Martin (HS Science teacher) but he was too fast.

Q: Were you aiming to go first place?
A: Yeah, halfway I looked back and there was nobody so I kind of knew that I was going to be first. But I was still aiming to chase Mr. Martin.

Q: So who are your biggest competitors?
A: Mr. Martin.

Interview of Nayoung Kim:
Q: How do you feel about being first place?
A: I feel really good and I am proud of myself.
 
Q: Did you know you were going to be first place?
A: No, I wanted to but I didn’t know.

Q: So who are your biggest competitors?
A: I was running and there was Julia (senior) behind me in the beginning and then in the end there was Hyunji Kim (senior).
 

For the seniors who had participated in this annual event from their freshman year, it was their last We Run Cheongna, which many of them made a wistful smile. Many of them yelled that they wanted to go back to their freshman year when they always grunted about running the whole 5 km track; however, now they were completely reminiscing this. After they graduate, I wish they would sometimes miss this meaningful WRC which only held at Dalton.
 

 

 

Minji Kang
Grade: 11th
Cheongna Dalton School