STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Father Gregory Plow, TOR, director of Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Priestly Discernment Program, will take on one of the most physically demanding challenges for an athlete when he runs the 50-mile Burning River Ultramarathon on July 29 in Cuyahoga National Park near Cleveland.

Father Plow is running to raise money for Franciscan University’s Spirit of St. Francis Scholarship Fund, which benefits students who demonstrate a high level of need and whose goals exemplify the mission of Franciscan University.

This scholarship is dear to Father Plow’s heart because it was only due to a generous scholarship from his pastor that he could attend Catholic elementary school.

“I may not even be a priest today if I did not receive a Catholic education,” says Father Gregory.

To prepare for the race, Father Plow ran the May 20-21 Adrenaline Night Run, a grueling, 54 kilometer (32.4 mile) overnight run in the Arizona desert. He completed the course in seven hours, six minutes.

Joining Father Plow on the 50-mile ultramarathon are Franciscan alumni and cross country runners Kevin LeRoy ’11 MBA ’12, and Michael Gotta ’13.

In addition, Franciscan cross country alumni and coaches will also run a 100-mile relay at the Burning River Ultramarathon to raise money for the scholarship fund. The team includes Dr. Daniel Kuebler, Franciscan biology professor and head cross country coach; Dr. Alan Schreck, theology professor and assistant track and field coach; Shaun McKeegan ’95, assistant cross country coach; Patrick Kuebler, Jake Baugher ’14, Christian Ohnimus ’12, and Marcus Fluty ’12 MA ’14.

Father Plow says donating to the Spirit of St. Francis Scholarship is an act of evangelization “because the person who receives a good Franciscan Catholic education can then go out into the world and evangelize.”

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