At only 16 years old, Justin Martinez spent Sunday, March 17, running his second Los Angeles Marathon — and he sprinted across the finish line in under three hours.
“It was challenging, but being able to share this experience with the whole community was fun,” said Martinez, a student at Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Lincoln Heights. “It’s wonderful to be able to share it with each other, how much we all love running.”
Martinez ran the 39th annual Los Angeles Marathon alongside more than 3,500 students from throughout the region — from the San Fernando Valley, coastal communities like San Pedro and inland areas including San Bernardino County — as members of Students Run LA (SRLA). The nonprofit offers free marathon training programs and mentorships to students at some 200 public schools.
Related story: 25,000 are off and running in the 39th race through City of the Angels
The students made up part of the marathon’s massive field of about 25,000 racers, who woke up hours before dawn and ran the 26.2-mile course through several iconic parts of Los Angeles.
Thirteen-year-olds Kelsey Valenzuela and Arianna Ramirez conquered the marathon together and were joined on the course by their SRLA coaches.
Runners from Students Run L.A. gather before the start of the 39th annual L.A. Marathon, March 17, 2024 (Photo by Dean Musgrove)
“There’s a lot of support and (SRLA) helps you a lot, physically and mentally,” said Ramirez, a second-time marathoner who is in eighth grade. “Crossing the finish line, it feels like you have the power of the whole world.”
Students Run LA is intended to provide support to historically underserved students.
More than 95% of SRLA students who race in the L.A. Marathon complete it, and more than 95% of seniors in the program graduate high school with plans to go to college. Of those, three-quarters are the first in their family to pursue higher education, according to the organization, which has trained more than 75,000 student runners in the past 35 years.
The volunteer coaches are often teachers, and many ran with their students during Sunday’s marathon.
“I’ve worked in schools for many years and have supported our students,” first-time coach Eric Diaz said. “This is another way to support them. We’re encouraging them and promoting health.”
Proud families cheered on the SRLA students along every mile of the course. Vilma Raymundo stood at the finish line and displayed a homemade sign supporting her son, who is a member of SRLA and in seventh grade at Curtis Middle School in Carson.
“This organization gives students motivation,” Raymundo said. “Whenever my son is stressed or sad or mad, running is his therapy. I love that about him.”
Related links
LA Marathon: Here’s what you should know before the 39th race
LA Marathon: Here’s the route map
LA Marathon Preview: Elite runners ready to run fast times on St. Patrick’s Day
How to watch, drive, park or take public transit to the LA Marathon on Sunday
LA Marathon: Experienced runners advise first-timers, who make up 40% of field
LA Marathon: Run clubs’ popularity boom fuels record number of new competitors
LA Marathon: Freeway ramps and street closures for the March 17 race
Los Angeles Marathon training builds life skills for ‘Students Run LA’ youths
LA Marathon: How to watch it live Sunday on TV, streaming, or Facebook
Linh Tat contributed to this story.