Harborfields’ Rhys Walter learns community over everything through 1,000 mile-running goal

He put his best foot forward.

Harborfields junior track star Rhys Walter made it his mission to run 1,000 miles to raise $2,000 for mental health awareness.

“I was doing about four miles a day when I started on Jan. 1, 2024,” Walter told The Post, adding that he was inspired to do so after going to a retreat with classmates who shared their struggles.

“I had no idea of how big of a thing it was because it’s not talked about as much as it should be,” Walter added.

Quickly, he set up a GoFundMe to have people pledge donations during his lengthy challenge, which Walter stopped at nothing to pursue.

“I ran every day no matter what,” he said. “Once, there was a huge rainstorm, and I did laps in my backyard. In my mind, I couldn’t take a day off, for myself, I needed to run every day.”

Things were going stellarly for the enthusiastic athlete until April 2024, when he broke two bones in his leg going over a hurdle at a track meet.

Nevertheless, Walter’s family stepped in to help hit the goal, which is above $2,300.

“They totaled in about 200 miles for me. My grandparents biked and swam, my sister, even though she hated it, took one for the team and ran, and my mom would go all over town,” he said.

“It means so much that they believe in the cause and love me enough to do this to help me.”

Now healthy, Walter is around mile 850 and plans to finish strong by summer and write about the experience in his upcoming college essay.

“This taught me if you’re not giving back to your community,” he said, “then you’re really not doing anything.”