As the winds of winter transition the John Carroll distance runners from cross country to indoor track, a group of "Graduates Of the Last Decade"(GOLDs) from head coach Kyle Basista's program have set their eyes on a different target: the marathon.

On Sunday, the California International Marathon in Sacramento plays host to the 2017 US Marathon National Championships. Four members of the John Carroll "GOLDs" -- Jeff Sigmund '12, Nick Wojtasik '13, Rachael Greuber '14 and Caroline Kapela '14 -- will reunite in racing and channel their college camaraderie over the 26.2-mile distance.

Having trained in a camp together this summer, Jeff "Siggy" Sigmund and Nick "Nike" Wojtasik are approaching the race with similar time goals. Both shooting for a low-to-mid-2:30s time, they'll call upon their connection and experience as Men of JCU to tackle and defeat the marathon behemoth.
 
"There is a lot to be said about teamwork," said Sigmund. Reflecting on his time competing for the Blue and Gold and racing with old teammates, Sigmund added: "There is a saying that goes '100% of me; is nothing compared to 1% of the entire team.' I truly believe that."

Wojtasik returns to the distance that he used to time trial alongside team escorts and Basista's support car during his undergraduate days and is "excited and hopeful for race day" given his training buildup.

Greuber, now a tried and true triathlete training in the altitude of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will toe the line with a great aerobic base in her legs and aims to achieve a personal best of around 3:20 or under.

"I learned a lot about myself as a person and an athlete while I competed at JCU that has really benefited me now.," recalled Greuber.
 
Having battled injuries prior to her training for this event, Kapela has dabbled in climbing, weight training, and cycling to stay active, and approaches running by calling on previous advice from Basista to run by feel and listen to her body. Like the rest, she'll relish this experience:

"I'm grateful that I am able to put on a pair of shoes and to run…My best friends and teammates will be in a city I haven't been before taking it all in."

The marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. Pacific. Event information can be found here and athlete tracking can be done here.