To the untrained eye, cross country and track are nothing but a lot of running. What many people miss is the determination, persistence, and discipline required to perform well. Mark Randio, track and cross country coach, holds all of those things in high regard because running is a big part of his life. In fact, he decided to become an athletic coach for the school he once attended.
Randio ran track during his first year at East River, picking up cross country during his sophomore year. He continued to run both sports until the end of his high school career.
During his last season of cross country, Randio was able to run the second fastest time in the school’s history. At districts, he achieved a time of 17:29 “I loved it, it felt great,” Randio said.
At previous meets, he wasn’t even able to run a 5k in under 18 minutes. “I was stuck at 18 flat for 3 or 4 meets, and I hated it. Eventually districts came and I finally PR-ed,” Randio said.
After running track for four years and cross country for three years, Randio graduated in 2013. In 2017, he was able to become the cross country and track coach. He chose to become a coach because he is “just loving the sport,” Randio said.
Regardless of whether he’s running or coaching for his school, Randio does all of it for the love of the sport.
