Alex & Xiomara: Appreciating Life Even More

Xiomara (left) and Alex (right) prior to running the marathon together.

Meet Xiomara and Alex, the Mother and Son marathon running duo and members of Team SRLA, our charity fundraising marathon team.

Xiomara and Alex chose to support Students Run LA because they know first hand the positive impact that running a marathon can have on a students life....

I am an alumni of SRLA, class of 2017, I had never heard of SRLA, until I started at Burbank Middle School, I was not so athletic, my mom always encouraged me to participate in sports, soccer, baseball, football, even dance, but I always complained, I was not interested, she was concerned about my weight, my doctor considered me "obese"...

Alex (left) and Xiomara (right) after this year’s LA Dodgers Foundation 5K.

...I was being bullied and my confidence level was very low. Attending Burbank Police Academy, I started to participate in any physical activities. My mom was shocked when I asked her if she was going to come and see me run, she couldn't believe it, she didn't know what to expect, knowing that I was not physically prepared, or so she thought.

I made her one proud mother, from that day till now, I have participated in 8 LA Marathons, not only did I become very physical fit, I became her coach, I encouraged her and my sister to join me.

I also won an SRLA scholarship, personally know I deserved it - I was involved in a bullying altercation that had me to my lowest, I attempted suicide, was in and out of the hospital, yet I, deep in me still wanted to participate in running events, and I did of course thru SRLA and thanks to my encouraging coaches I completed my 6th marathon that year, my senior year.

As if that wasn't enough, I was involved in a car accident in May of 2017, in Mexico, to which I suffered serious injuries, broke my neck bone to which I thought I was never going to run again. Thankfully I did, and that awful experience not only encouraged me to continue being part of SRLA, it made me appreciate my life even more! I can proudly say, SRLA has encouraging coaches, I feel that SRLA is more than a team, it is a family to students. Thank you SRLA.

You can support Alex and Xiomara in reaching their fundraising goals before the Los Angeles Marathon by contributing to their campaign as a part of our Marathon Match! That means that for every dollar raised, the Foundation will also donate a dollar, up to $5,000. $1 becomes $2, $30 becomes $60, and $100 becomes $200. Donate to their campaign!