Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA) has just completed the Rose Bowl half marathon on January 21, 2024. They have completed many other events like the 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon to prepare for the 26 miles, LA Marathon that is on March 17. The next event is the (Friendship Run) 30k on Feb. 18.
In this year’s SRLA season, there are 7 new runners and 12 returners in SRLA this season. __ have completed the marathon 4 years in a row
SRLA serves as a program for secondary students who lack opportunities to discover the advantages of setting goals, developing character, receiving guidance from adults, and improving their health.
SRLA is often mistaken for a running program but “it’s not a running program, its a character building program and we just happen to be building a character around the sport of running,” said Mr. Louis Bonsteel, Coach and Social Studies teacher at HPHS.
“[SRLA] is like a family for me, it’s the bond we have that makes it all exciting and fun,” said Briana Alba, junior and captain.
She loves it because she likes that she’s committed to something and has a sense of accomplishment after a run. These SRLA runners receive a lot of support and help not only from their coach but also from leaders in the school.
“I actually run with my students. We are out there to encourage students to give it their best and take on many challenges, I think it helps them understand it’s not just them running out there and that there are leaders that support them,” said Coach Bonsteel.
Some of the leaders are Mrs. Jackson, Dr. Alamo, Ms. Rivas, and Ms. Salazar who are all out there running and helping push these runners to achieve their goals. Some of these leaders like Mrs. Jackson and Dr.Alamo have been running with SRLA for many years.
For the LA Marathon, students start at the Dodger Stadium and run all the way through LA. Then you end up in Wilshire and return to the Avenue of Stars in Santa Monica.
“I find the last half to be very challenging, especially coming back into the finish, the last 2 miles is probably one of the toughest because part of it is uphill,” said Coach Bonsteel
The whole city of LA comes around for this notorious event and cheers for the runners.
Apart from the LA marathon, students get to participate in fun events like the Turkey Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving, which is not an official SRLA event but is funded by it. They also have the opportunity to contribute as volunteers through SRLA, thereby improving their community skills or providing assistance.
Many of the past SRLA students have set a new Personal bests this season like Brianna, who PR (personal record) in the Rose Bowl half marathon. She hopes to PR in the next one. Meanwhile, new people in SRLA aspire to complete the LA Marathon and finish the season strong.
“Finishing a marathon would give meaning to all the pain and all the countless hours of practice. Not a lot of people can say they have completed a marathon and to be able to say that is an amazing accomplishment!” said first-time runner and junior, Alejandra Alvarado.
SRLA runners practice every day after school until 5 PM in preparation for the marathon and other future events. They have their events on early Sunday mornings and finish at 4 PM at the latest.
On Wednesdays, they go to the Just Keep Living program (JKL) where they focus on physical and mental well-being/ health through activities like Yoga, exercising, etc. Apart from JKL, they participate in fun Fridays where they have team bonding activities to strengthen the team skills and relax.
“If you are looking to challenge yourself, join SRLA because it offers a chance to push yourself to something you never thought you could do in your life,” said Dr.Alamo
Written by Sports Editor, Estefani Escareno