The success of last year's Old Rochester Regional DREAMFAR team has inspired a new class of marathon hopefuls who are already picking up speed as they look to conquer the 26.2-mile challenge.

“Last year I'd always hear about it. I wanted to be a part of that, accomplish something not many people accomplish,” said student Alex Wurl.

Megan Hall is one of two teachers who started the Old Rochester Regional High School team last year. Hall previously taught in Newton where the DREAMFAR program began and wanted to replicate it at ORR.

The nature of DREAMFAR is that participants – students, staff and community mentors – train without the pressure of competition. Instead, everyone has the common goal of becoming healthier and achieving something that is really, really hard.

That was part of the pull for Jill McCarthy, one of 23 students on the team.

“I just wanted to challenge myself. This is different and I kind of liked that,” she said.

Many were inspired by the DREAMFAR members who completed the Providence Marathon last May. Georgi Battaglia was one of those runners and is part of a handful of students returning for round two.

“I really loved this last year, no matter how hard it was,” said Battaglia.

Of course, the group doesn't start out at a full sprint. The first run was half a mile, which for anyone who hasn't run in a while, is no easy task.

“I like to sit on my couch and watch ‘Gilmore Girls,’ admitted Katie MacLean. Of the first run, she said, “It was a little rough, but it will get easier.”

The group is inching up its mileage with two miles at the two-week marker, but they will increase their distance incrementally as they work toward their goal – the Providence Marathon on May 7.

The team's first long run, four miles, is on Saturday, Nov. 12.

The Saturday runs, as well as those during the week, benefit from mentors who, even though they may not be runners, can man water tables.

“We're hoping to get more community support,” said Hall. “We need people to cheer us on.”

She said volunteers are an integral part of the program and donors who can help fund bus rides to races throughout the year, uniforms, water, sports drinks, sneakers, and, of course, Swedish fish.

To help out, email Megan Hall at meganhall@oldrochester.org.

There will also be a “Stuff a Truck” fundraiser for DREAMFAR and the AFS Club, Oct. 28-30. Donations of clothing, accessories, jewelry, shoes, handbags, linens and small household items will be accepted with each pound of donations earning money for both groups. Items may be dropped of Oct. 28 – 2:30-7 p.m.; Oct. 29 – 9-3 p.m.; Oct. 30 – 9-1 p.m.