Midnight run helps Fort Mill High cross-country, swim teams

The fourth annual Midnight Mile raised $755 for the Fort Mill High cross-country and swim teams.

The run was created by former Fort Mill runner and swimmer Jeffrey Case. It was held at Springfield Middle School and attracted 55 runners.

“We had a better turnout then I thought,” he said. “We have risen between $500 and $1,000 each year.”

The event had four 1-mile races with the last heat starting at midnight being runners with sub-five minute miles.

In that heat, Lucas Stalnaker won with a mile of 4:37, followed closely by Matthew Case at 4:38.

Cindy Van Buskirk, Fort Mill High swim coach, said having an event like this really helps her team.

“Jeffrey is so gracious to do this each year,” she said. “There are areas we can really use this money.”

Van Buskirk said the money will be used for T-shirts and swim caps for the kids.

New cross-country coach Kyle Pearson, who knew Case when he was a member of the Gold Hill Middle School team, said it means a lot to have a fundraiser like this.

“It shows what an impact the cross-country and swim program has on him,” Pearson said. “It’s really a good thing.”

Pearson said their half of the money will go to helping to by cross-training supplies and shoes for their runners.

This story was originally published July 20, 2015 at 9:37 AM with the headline "Midnight run helps Fort Mill High cross-country, swim teams."