The 2016 Final Mile Challenge will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 6 when more than 1,600 students from five Santa Clarita schools will run the last mile of their 26.2 mile goal at the Santa Clarita Marathon.

The Final Mile Challenge, presented by Kaiser Permanente, encourages students to set a goal, make it happen and finish what they started. While training to run the final mile, the program encourages students to exercise and form healthy eating habits.

During the first months of school, students must complete all 25 training miles before being invited to run the final mile of the Santa Clarita Marathon, presented by Parkway Motorcars. Upon completion of the 25 miles, students receive a Final Mile Challenge t-shirt to wear on race day and as they cross the official Santa Clarita Marathon finish line, they are awarded a Final Mile Challenge finisher’s medal.

Leading up to the race, several schools hosted program rallies where doctors from Kaiser Permanente gave presentations about the program, training for the run and also taught students about the importance of making healthy choices.

Students will line up with their school at 12:30 p.m. on race day to start with a warmup stretch before the run. Kicking off the Final Mile Challenge will be Helmers Elementary School student, Delaney Rose Stein, with the National Anthem.

Delaney is one of many students who tried out for this year’s honor of singing the National Anthem and she will also be participating in the Final Mile Challenge. Parents and residents are encouraged to park at Westfield Valencia Town Center to cheer on student athletes as they cross the finish line on Theater Drive (adjacent to Buca Di Beppo).

Participating schools in the 2016 Final Mile Challenge include Bridgeport Elementary School, Helmers Elementary School, Newhall Elementary School, SCVi Charter School and Tesoro Elementary School. Schools must be invited to participate and are chosen at the annual Arts and Education Meeting.

For more information about the Final Mile Challenge, visit scmarathon.org/finalmilechallenge or contact Donna Avila with the City’s Arts & Events Office at (661) 250-3785 or davila@santa-clarita.com.