On any given Saturday morning this spring, clusters of high school students across the St. Louis area have been logging miles, pushing past discomfort, encouraging one another, and, in many cases, surprising themselves. For nearly 200 teens, those early runs will culminate in a major milestone: completing a 10K or half marathon during the Greater St. Louis Marathon weekend of events on April 11.
They’re part of Students on the GO!, a GO! St. Louis program launched in 2009 to introduce high school students to distance running, wellness, and goal-setting. Unlike traditional school athletics, the focus here isn’t on competition—it’s on personal growth.
Your guide to a healthier, happier you
Sign up for the St. Louis Wellness newsletter and get practical tips for a balanced, healthy life in St. Louis.
“Students on the GO! is all about setting a personal goal and working toward that in an encouraging environment,” said Stephanie True, program coordinator for Students on the GO! in a statement. “It’s not about winning a race or getting points for a team but proving to yourself that you can accomplish something if you stick to it.”
This year’s participants come from nine local schools, including Metro Academic and Classical High School, Parkway North and Parkway West, Belleville West, Collinsville, Villa Duchesne, Maryville Christian, and Ritenour. Over several months, students train together while working toward completing either a 10K or half marathon—building endurance alongside a sense of camaraderie.
For many, the experience marks a personal breakthrough. Some are new to running altogether; others are discovering confidence in their abilities for the first time. “Many of the students finish their Saturday training runs and say things like, ‘That’s the farthest I have ever run,’ or ‘I didn’t think I could make it up that hill but I did,’” True said. “On race day, when they receive their finisher’s jacket after completing their 10K or half marathon, you can see the satisfaction on their faces—the joy and relief. It’s very powerful.”
The program reflects GO! St. Louis’ broader mission of encouraging lifelong healthy lifestyles through movement and community engagement. In a time when young people face increasing distractions and sedentary habits, the structure and support offered through Students on the GO! can be transformative.
“There are so many distractions in today’s world,” True said. “Kids need an outlet. They need to move. They need to be outside. They need to be challenged. They need social interaction. Students on the GO! provides all of this in a structured program.”
That impact often extends well beyond race day. When participants reach their April events, they’ll be celebrating more than a race—they’ll be marking months of dedication, perseverance, and personal growth. True recalls one student who began the program struggling to complete even a single lap but ultimately finished a half marathon with family cheering at the finish line.
“He worked hard to build some running stamina,” she said. “He was never a fast runner, but he was a determined runner. His family came to cheer him on at the finish. Seeing how they came together for him and watching him proudly cross that line to complete a half marathon. I honestly had tears in my eyes.”
“For him, it was a goal met,” she added. “He wore that finisher’s jacket and medal to school the following Monday with such pride.”
