For most people, running once a day is plenty, but for junior Christian Bailey he routinely runs twice a day. During a week, Bailey, a member of the College of Charleston men's cross country team runs 100 miles.

Bailey is a person that works very hard and applies himself in a variety of areas. In addition to athletics, he also places a high priority on academics, which CofC Head Coach Amy Seago said makes him a positive role model for the program.

"You ask him to do something and Chris does it," she said. "I would say he represents what we are looking for as a student and an athlete and someone that is able to do well in both areas."

Bailey, a native of Charlotte, N.C., didn't start out his athletic career as a runner, but instead a tennis player up until his sophomore year of high school when he did winter track to stay in shape for spring tennis. After making a lot of friends in the sport, he decided to stick with it.

At Ardrey Kell High School, Bailey led his team to a conference championship and qualified individually for the state championship meet. He also set school records in the 3200-meter run for indoor and outdoor track.

In making his college decision both academics and athletics weighed heavily. In terms of athletics, Bailey said he wanted to come to a school where he could make a difference immediately. As a freshman in ran in all seven cross country races and was one of three CofC athletes to compete in the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships.

Bailey, who is pursuing a double-major in International Business and Spanish studied abroad in Spain following his first year in Charleston. Bailey lived in a small city in Extremadura (about two hours from Madrid) where not many people spoke English.

Bailey said living with a young couple and getting lost running in parks in Spain was a great experience.

"It was fun getting to learn about a different culture and getting out of your comfort zone," he said.

As Bailey has matured he is becoming a leader for the team and Seago said he is doing well in that role.

"He is developing into a leadership role with the team," Seago said. "He knows the right things to do, so he is a good leader in that respect and a leader by example."

Bailey, who focuses on doing the little things such as stretching and getting treatment said he is embracing his new role, especially with seven newcomers on the team. 

"Especially since we have so many freshman we needed some people to step up and provide guidance for everyone and show them how to act," he said.

After what he called his best summer of training coming into this cross country season, Bailey finished fourth-place in his first race, with the ninth fastest 8k time (26:07) in school history.

The hard work that Bailey puts in on a daily basis is recognized and has a motivational effect on his teammates. Junior Alexander Hill, who runs many workouts with Bailey said it sets a good example for the team.

"He is one of the most dedicated people I know running wise," Hill said. "It kind of pushes everyone on the team to work as hard as he does."

Outside of his sport Bailey is making a difference as well.

As part of a freshman seminar he teaches, which two of the freshman on the team are enrolled in through the honors college, Bailey is working with other campus leaders on a literacy outreach initiative to help with the Charleston Country School District goal of targeting illiteracy.  

Part of the project involves reading books to elementary, middle and high school kids. The group is also organizing a nonprofit book fair Nov. 6 at the public library.

Currently Bailey is pursing his degrees and working at a local running store. When he graduates from CofC his career ambition is to do work with an international focus, preferably related to sports.

For someone who runs 18 miles on Sunday morning, has an excellent grade point average, helps in the community and is a leader on his team, Seago said her student-athlete is having a positive impact on many people around him.

"Anytime you have someone who is willing to go the extra mile and in his case the 100 miles, you have a great example. I think his teammates are able to see that and how it affects performance and can understand that work really does translate to success," Seago said.