GHS connection at Chicago Marathon

Last month, four women with a Gloucester High School connection crossed the same finish line on October 12th, thousands of miles from home. 

On the day of the Chicago Marathon, alumni Leah Rudolph (’19), Kelsey Lowthers (‘21), and Macealla Oliver (‘17), as well as GHS guidance counselor Courtney Royal, geared up to run. 

Leah Rudolph was the first from Gloucester to cross the finish line.  She ran the marathon in an astonishing 3 hours and 34 minutes, averaging around an 8:30 pace. 

“The marathon was an unforgettable experience,” Rudolph said. “The energy along the course was non-stop. The crowds were loud, supportive, and full of excitement. That atmosphere truly carried me through to the finish line. 

Rudolph was a record-setting Gloucester High School Track runner. She still holds the fastest time for the indoor 600 meters, indoor Short Medley Relay, outdoor Short Medley Relay (both 1600 and 800 meters), outdoor 800 meter Short Medley Relay, indoor and outdoor 4×800 meter relay, and the outdoor 4000 Distance Medley Relay. She went on to run division one at UMASS Lowell after high school.  

“Transitioning from running the 800 meters in college to training for a marathon was smoother than I expected,” Rudolph said. “The structure and discipline felt similar to my college training, just with a focus on building endurance instead of speed.” 

Macaella Oliver and Kelsey Lowthers had previously connected to train for the Chicago Marathon.  Kelsey’s mother, GHS chemistry teacher Tr

acy Lowthers, reflected on the lucky coincidence of their meeting. 

 “When she [Lowthers]  was running in the Fiesta 5k, she bumped into Macaella Oliver, whom she recognized from going to GHS with,” Lowthers said. “They soon learned they were both running in Chicago. It was cool because they were able to do some long runs together.”

This was Lowthers’ first marathon, although she had run a few half marathons with her mother before. At a time of 4 hours and 54 minutes, she finished within just five minutes of Royal, who came in at 4 hours and 51 minutes. Oliver was the final runner of the Gloucester clan, finishing with a time of 5 hours and 22 minutes. 

Tracy Lowthers travelled to Chicago to watch her daughter run. She said that with over 53,000 runners, the energy was unmatched.

 “The Chicago Marathon was amazing because they had bands and lots of cheering,” she said. For runners, the festivities were the motivation they needed. 

“I didn’t even put in my earbuds,” Royal said. “There was just so much noise and people.”

This was Royal’s second marathon, and her first time running for the charity Girls on the Run. The charity aims to support elementary and middle school-aged girls’ emotional and physical health. The charity also provides all of its supporting runners with a coach.

Royal will be running the Boston marathon this coming May with Girls on the Run.