By Julie Powell

Seven Baldwin teachers ran the Pittsburgh marathon or half-marathon on Sunday, and two students went the extra mile in supporting them.

Junior Elaina DePetro and senior Maggie Brooks cheered on their teachers Michelle Jenkins and Dan Harrold by wearing homemade shirts that read “Our English teachers run faster than your English teachers.”

“We were going and wanted to add something special to support them since we were watching,” DePetro said.

“It added an extra element of excitement,” said Jenkins, who ran the half-marathon. “I had my family, friends, and students there, so I had all the important parts in my life represented. Everything was complete.”

Harold, who ran the full marathon, appreciated the extra motivation because “at mile 9 and 10, it started to get boring and repetitive, so it was nice to see some familiar faces,” he said.

History teacher Doug Graff ran the half-marathon, as did a team of special education teachers: Cassie Bartus, Melanie Fisher, Maryanne Schrader, and Eric Jankoski.

Bartus, who ran her second half-marathon, said the training was a challenge.

“It’s hard to be disciplined and stay on track with the training program for months,” she said.

Bartus said she and the other special education teachers all want to run the half-marathon again.