Before the sun rises Monday, US History teacher Michael Hjort will have already completed a 10K. Hjort will run half a marathon before school, teach classes and then return to the track in the afternoon, to run another 13.1 miles.

“Four years ago, I did this run for the Ronald McDonald House charity,” Hjort said. “This year I decided that since I’m going to do the run for Project Grad so that I can support students to make good decisions for their parties and events.”

Hjort ran the Leap Day marathon in 2012 to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. On Monday, the teacher and former coach will run on Leap Day to support and raise money for Project Graduation as well as promote fitness for students and other teachers. Hjort expects to start running around 3:45 a.m.

“I love fundraisers that don’t involve a lot of overhead. I’m happy that the school is allowing me to use the track lights so early in the morning and everything else that’s being provided for me,” Hjort said. “The cross country team will be joining me in the morning, and other sports teams tend to come out and run for a little while in the afternoon.”

Hjort encourages students and teachers to join him in the marathon to kick off a year of health and fitness or to sponsor him in his run by donating at little as $5. Donations can be made at the track in person or online at http://rousehsprojectgrad.wix.com/2016.

“I’ve run a lot of half miles in preparation for this run,” Hjort said. “I’m worried about the afternoon, but with other students supporting me and the trainers helping out, I don’t have any doubts.”