Students Run LA

This school year [2017-2018] marks my 11th year leading Santee’s SRLA program. Each year, we train roughly 25-35 students for the Los Angeles Marathon. At Santee, selection is based on commitment, attendance, attitude, and overall desire to train for the marathon–rather than speed. As such, I encourage non-athletes to join the program. We train for six months [twice a week after school and every weekend], and this rigorous, time-consuming program requires 100% committment from all participants.

Mission Statement

The mission of Students Run LA is to challenge at-risk secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a truly life-changing experience: The training for and completion of the ASICS LA Marathon.

Dockweiler 5K / September 2015 / Santee SRLA Participants + Volunteers

SRLA Objectives

To carry out its mission, SRLA has five key objectives:

To provide teacher mentors who assist students in their training and who reinforce the lessons of responsibility, discipline and goal-setting.
To support students in tackling a supremely difficult goal, to break down their mental barriers to this goal, and to create “can do” attitudes.
To introduce students to the pleasure of running, encourage students to develop the habit of physical fitness, and teach students aspects of healthy living.
To create an opportunity for students of all ethnic groups, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds to meet one another and experience an important sense of belonging.
To offer a program in which all students are welcome, all have the same chance to achieve the goal, and all become winners.

2015 LA Marathon / Early Morning…Before the Big Race @ Dodger Stadium

For many of the students, training for a marathon represents the first time that they have committed to a specific goal. By providing them an opportunity for incremental accomplishment and a supportive environment to help them on their way, SRLA gives the students the inspiration, excitement and encouragement to accomplish their goal.