Western Harnett High School junior Ethan Rich runs.

He runs a lot. Upwards of 50 miles a week depending on the time of year. His brother Benjamin says it started following their dad.

“He was an ultra runner for the longest time doing 100 miles, he’s a little old for that now,” Benjamin chuckled with his dad nearby.

“I just had the urge to run one day and it was just random and I just started running every single day and from then on I just kept it going,” Ethan said.

He’s run right through the record books, breaking a school record in the 5K and claiming a state championship in cross country in 2024. His best time is a 15:16 5K, which means he averages an under five minute mile.

“Once you put yourself through mass amounts of pain and you get done with it, it just, it’s so satisfying to feel that accomplishment,” Ethan said.

He analyzes each race, each day of preparation with a scientific mind. You see it in the classroom where he has a 4.4 GPA. His coach, Gavin Lindhout, says you see it on race day too.

“Ethan is one of the most driven and motivated athletes I’ve ever coached,” Lindhout said. “The adults around are just kind of getting him to where he needs to go, giving him a little motivation, but Ethan is really someone who can do it on his own.”

“To his family, his teammates, and his community, he’s an example of dedication. He was honored by the Harnett County School Board in December.

“First one up, last one to sleep. If he’s not doing the training he’s stretching, recovering, education himself, he’s just really mentally tough,” Benjamin said.

“Seeing him run 50 miles a week, and running how fast he does, inspires me to do the same thing, or at least push myself to get that far,” said his friend and teammate, Tyler Worn.

How far can Ethan go? He takes it one step at a time. Each run, he has a mantra.

“I may quit, but I’m not going to quit yet. It’s many steps along these longer races that just help me get to the finish.”

And that’s why Ethan Rich is this week’s winner of the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.