PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Students and staff at Philadelphia's Masterman middle and high schools Friday ran around in circles. But it's by design.

It's a fundraiser that has Masterman kids and teachers running around the school -- circling the block at 17th and Spring Garden -- to raise cash for their designated extracurricular activities.

Sixth-grader Natalie Kim is running for the robotics club and the middle school student government.

"Last year I did 50 laps," she tells KYW Newsradio. "So I think my goal this year is probably to do 60 laps."

Sophomore Daniel Bici ran too.

"All of that money that I'm fundraising will be going to the boys cross-country team," he said.

The fundraising goal is $25,000. Principal Jessica Brown says without that extra money, activities would have to be cut back.

"We would have a limited amount of after-school programs and the students wouldn't be able to enjoy the variety that they have."

Luigi Borda, a Masterman teacher for 22 years, organized the fundraiser five years ago. He planned to run 100 laps. That's about 15 miles, almost as long as a marathon.

"It seems like this budget crisis is a marathon," he says.

Borda says it's rewarding to see the kids give back to their school, but adds students shouldn't have to be in a position to raise money for activities that should be provided.