On Sunday August 13, 2006 Team M3's students and mentors gathered downtown, eagerly awaiting the beginning of the Chicago Distance Classic. 18 students and 26 mentors prepared to embark on their longest run of the season, greeted by the raising sun, they rushed to take their places in what would become an amazing feat of dedication and teamwork.

In 3 hours and 28 minutes the final Team M3 member crossed the finish line bringing to a close a fantastic day of extreme excursion and tenacity. 1 hour and 58 minutes marked our fastest student/mentor pair and demonstrates the wide range of running skill and the amazing focus and dedication of our mentors and students. One of our student runners completed the 5k run/walk in order to minimize aggravating a minor injury and continue training.

As the day drew to a close, and the last of the discarded water cups had been cleaned up, the gravity of their action, the pride in their accomplishment and the fatigue in their bodies all began to set in. Team M3 is halfway there! As they go forth, beyond the finish line, they are steeled by a confidence in their abilities and humbled by the remaining task: the full marathon! From this point forth, Team M3 will train harder than ever before to ensure their goal of completing the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon becomes a reality. With teamwork, hard work and the collective strength of their radiant spirits, no obstacle is too large.

Team M3 (MGR Foundation's Mentoring Marathon)--beyond the finish line, connects at-risk Chicago Public High School students with committed adult mentors to train for, and complete, the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

The MGR Foundation's unique marathon program provides students and mentors a whole new reason to run. Through mentoring, concerned adults can share their passions for running with at-risk youth and help guide them towards positive futures. Team M3 will forever change the way we run; moving together to accomplish a great goal and moving together--beyond the finish line.