Nineteen Hart School District students successfully completed the 29th running of the Los Angeles Marathon amid an international field of more than 25,000 participants.
Sponsored by Students Off And Running (SOAR), a division of the Santa Clarita Track Club, this program dedicates itself to offering SCV youth the opportunity to participate in a fully supported, 24-week, 380-mile marathon training program while challenging themselves to accomplish something truly extraordinary in a non-competitive arena.
Head coach and program director Kevin Sarkissian shared his thoughts just after safely bringing in his last student runner Sunday.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the level of determination our students showed today,” Sarkissian said. “Just committing to the SOAR program is tough enough considering all these kids have going on at home and in school. Couple that with a long, tough training season, and you really get an understanding why today gives collective testament to their inner strength. It’s not often that you see the average teenager getting out of bed at 2 a.m. to run 26.2 miles. It just doesn’t happen.”
Less than 1 percent of Americans ever complete a full marathon.
SOAR is not about recruiting seasoned high school athletes; the program looks for any youth with heart, who are willing to commit to a truly life changing experience.
Now celebrating its seventh year of success, the results continue to impress with the program reporting an astounding 100-percent marathon completion rate for all SOAR participants since the program began in 2007.
In addition, parents, teachers, and students report better focus in school, increased positive social interaction, and dramatic improvement in overall physical health.
For more information on supporting or participating in the program visit www.soar-sc.org or contact Kevin Sarkissian at 661-877-7024 for more information.
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