Race day is here for the 2023 Cellcom Green Bay Marathon

ASHWAUBENON (WLUK) -- The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon is back for its 2023 race day!

The full marathon started at 7:00 a.m., the half-marathon started at 8:00 a.m., and the 5 Kilometer run started at 8:15 a.m.

CLICK HERE to find all of this year's course route maps.

One group running the half-marathon had special inspiration behind their race.

"I'm really excited but I have a lot of adrenaline going right now," said McKayla Kubs, a student at Neenah High School.

Neenah High School students in the Runner's High program took on the half-marathon for the class's 15th year.

The program's original intention was to help support students with alcohol and other drug addictions.

It has now evolved into a goal-setting outlet for any student nominated by faculty and staff at the school.

"Definitely a healthy environment. Really good friends, you meet a lot of good people. It's just a great place to be," said Dravin Meyer, another student at Neenah High School.

Students train together in this program as it works to motivate and give them something to achieve.

Joe Miller, a teacher at Neenah High School, says each student in the class is struggling in some way: "...that varies in range, so the hope is, the goal is that by the end of the day, they take this experience and they're able to apply it for the rest of the school year, hopefully for the rest of their life."

This is McKayla's first time racing for the Cellcom Half-Marathon.

She says the class's training program has really helped with her mental health.

"Running, it helps a lot to keep going. Like, showing up every day, just living," added Kubs.

Christine Christensen, a counselor at Neenah High School, lost her battle with cancer in February.

Runner's High was her program and participants say she made a major impact on their lives.

The class competes today in her and her family's honor.

"We're out here running for her today. We've got her on the back of our shirts as you can see right here and we're all doing this for her," added Meyer.

Chris's mission lives on through her students as they cross the finish line.

Supporters cheered on competitors in the marathon and half-marathon relay races.

Spectators also showed support for runners while they made the famous Lambeau Field lap.

Learn how another group of runners prepared for race day HERE.