BBHHS teacher lifts students’ spirits by running marathon through their neighborhoods

by Jacqueline Mitchell

Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School American government teacher Sean Brennan ran a full 26.2-mile marathon through the neighborhoods of his students on May 3 as a creative way to boost their morale.

Brennan wore school colors and carried a “Go Bees” sign that listed all of the names of his senior students. He encouraged students to wave and place inspirational and school spirit signs in their front lawns, and he welcomed snacks and drinks.  

“Like a lot of teachers, it has been a challenge to find ways of keeping our students’ morale up during this stressful time,” Brennan said. “I want to prove to my students and the communities how much I care for and appreciate them.”

His route began at the doors of BBHHS at 7 a.m. and finished inside the stadium around noon, he said. He listened to the BBHHS alma mater and National Anthem before his start.

Brennan, who has served as a teacher in the district for 25 years, has run 92 marathons over the past 11 years. 

“My goal has been to run 100 marathons before the end of 2020,” he said.  

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many marathons have become “virtual,” allowing runners to run their races wherever they like. So far, Brennan has finished the Pittsburgh, Toledo and Western Maryland marathons using this method. 

His May 3 results will count toward the Pro-Football Hall of Fame Marathon in Canton, which was Brennan’s first Boston Marathon-qualifying race in 2015. 

His personal record is a 3 hour, 14 minute marathon. 

“This one will be much slower, as the communities are quite hilly, and I want to wave to as many folks as I can, maintaining social distancing, of course,” Brennan said before his race.  

He used the run as a fundraiser for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. 

“One of my students gave me a $20 bill along the course to donate,” he said. “A few others told me they donated.”

To donate, visit greaterclevelandfoodbank.org.

Feature image photo caption: Around the community, people are looking for ways to brighten spirits and help others. One of those people is Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School American government teacher Sean Brennan, who ran a full marathon through the streets where his senior students live to boost their morale. Photo by J. Kananian