Margot Bloch

Period 1

Declaration of a Runner
When in the Course of cross country events, it becomes necessary for runners to dissolve the
coachs bands which have connected them with another (Rousseau), and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's
God entitle them (Locke), a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should
declare the causes which impel them to their disobedience of hill workouts.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all runners are created equal, that they are endowed
by their coach with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Health, Fun and the pursuit
of Being in Shape. (Locke)--That to secure these rights, Coaches are instituted among runners,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the team, --That whenever any Form of Coaching
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the Runner to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new workouts, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness (Rousseau).
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Coaches long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that runners are more disposed to
suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they
are accustomed (Hobbes). But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably
the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is
their duty, to throw off such Coaches and workouts, and to provide new ones for their future
improvement.--Such has been the patient sufferance of this cross country team; and such is now
the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Coaching System. The history of the
present Cross Country Coach is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct
object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these Runners (Montesquieu). To prove
this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused to listen to runners, which would be most wholesome and necessary for the
public good.
He has forbidden the Captains and runners to choose workouts of immediate and pressing
importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so
suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

Margot Bloch
Period 1

He has refused to listen to Runners injuries and let Runners do what is best for their painful
sufferings.
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Captains:
For using his power to force runners to painful workouts.
For making runners run hills in hot weather.
For assigning hard core and track workouts when not needed.
He has destroyed the health of our runners.
He is at this time become a tyrant unwilling to listen to the team of people and thus caused unfair
rulings to take place regarding workouts (Montesquieu).
In every stage of these Oppressions We, the Runners, have Petitioned for Redress in the most
humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury and soreness.
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be
the ruler of a free people (Montesquieu).
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Coach. We have warned him from time to time to
extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances and
hardship. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and fairness. We must, therefore,
acquiesce in the necessity, which shows our dependence, and hold them, as we hold the rest of
Coaches, Enemies in Practice, in Races Friends.
We, therefore, the Runners of the Cross Country team, in General Congress, Assembled,
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name,
and by Authority of the good People of this team, solemnly publish and declare, That these
United Runners are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent Runners; that they are
Absolved from running hill workouts, and that as Free and Independent Runners, they have full
Power to create fun workouts, have days off, refuse to take part in hill workouts, and to do all
other Acts and Things which Independent Runners may of right do. And for the support of this
Declaration, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, our sacred Honor, and
Promise to race well (Hobbes).

Margot Bloch
Period 1