The 2022 - 2023 Impact Report
This past season, Students Run LA (SRLA) celebrated the incredible power of community, big and small.
Right from the start, SRLA faced a heartbreaking setback when the shoes meant for our students were stolen. But something amazing happened—the community rallied behind SRLA students in a big way. From local supporters to folks all the way from Maine, people raised their hands and donated their hard-earned dollars to support our students. Nike stepped up to replace the stolen shoes, and The McCourt Foundation offered their warehouse to store them. This joint effort became the driving force for the entire season.
And what a season it turned out to be!
A whopping 2,932 students joined SRLA at over 175 schools and a dozen LAPD Cadet programs across Greater Los Angeles. They were accompanied by dedicated teachers who generously volunteered to train alongside them.
Through SRLA, students found an outlet for their stress and a way to conquer obstacles. Instead of focusing on competition, they came together with the shared goal of completing the Marathon. SRLA runners supported and cheered each other on. Just ask Daniel from King Drew:
“The SRLA community is the type of support we need everywhere. When we face tough challenges, having someone cheering us on makes a world of difference. SRLA shows us what’s possible when we do just that.”
As the 7-month season progressed, the bonds among SRLA teammates grew stronger. They trained together, all working towards the same goal of finishing the Los Angeles Marathon.
Your support played a vital role in preparing them. Each month, SRLA runners participated in a new race, and for the first time since the pandemic, ALL of these races were held in person!
The journey began at the Homeboy 5K in downtown LA,
… followed by the SRLA Strength 10K in La Puente,
… and then the Heroes of Hope 15K at Dockweiler Beach.
These events not only helped students progress towards the marathon, but they also allowed them to explore and appreciate different parts of Los Angeles, discovering the beauty and diversity in their own backyard. Kevin, from Polytechnic High School, explains:
“Through SRLA, traveling was a big part of the experience. I was able to run in places I never thought I would ever visit in Los Angeles. Never would I have imagined running and finishing inside the Rose Bowl Stadium or being able to run in the Pomona Fairplex.”
By December, SRLA students officially became long-distance runners and received their well-deserved shoes. Nike made the shoe distribution day extra special by welcoming SRLA Leaders with a painted sign and thank-you gifts.
Over the winter, SRLA runners faced new challenges with unexpectedly wet weather. However, they pushed through and completed their first half marathon, the Holiday Half Marathon at the Pomona Fairplex, in the pouring rain!
Over the year-end school vacation, SRLA students were motivated to keep up with their training through the Holiday Break 50-Mile Challenge. Sponsored by the LA Recreation and Parks Department, students who ran a total of 50 miles over the holiday break earned a special medal and beanie.
When school resumed, training continued with the Rose Bowl Half Marathon…
and the SRLA Friendship Run 30K at Hansen Dam.
At each of the runs this season, SRLA students participated in a different service project. Their results multiplied as they worked together to give back to the community. Just a couple of their accomplishments included collecting more than a ton of canned food that was donated to Hope of the Valley and 1,500 pounds of pasta donated to MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity)!
Those who completed the 30K earned their Marathon Day uniforms, generously donated by the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. SRLA girls received sports bras from Nike and Bras for Girls, too.
As if that wasn't incredible enough, SRLA supporters sent in over 2,200 motivational notes, ensuring that each and every one of our 2,200+ students received personal words of encouragement.
And then came the BIG DAY—Marathon Day. Despite the wet, rainy, and cold conditions, nothing could dampen our students' spirits.
Thanks to your support, more than 2,240 SRLA students completed the entire Los Angeles Marathon, achieving an impressive 99% finish rate once again! More than 60% of these students were first-timers, completing their very FIRST marathon.
But that's just the beginning. SRLA Marathon Finisher Tiffany, from Monroe Police Academy, perfectly sums it up:
“SRLA made me realize that I’m capable of more than I ever expected. Crossing the finish line is just the start of what lies ahead for me.”
After the 2022-2023 season concluded, students walked away with new habits that will improve their physical and mental health for a lifetime. Amy, from Carson High School, shares:
“SRLA has positively impacted my physical emotional and mental health. I felt very connected with my community after joining this club. I’m happy that I was able to gain close relationships with my teammates and share the experience of running together.”
Thanks to your support, SRLA students discovered a new passion for staying active. At the beginning of the season, 35% of students reported being physically active for 2 or fewer days per week, with some not exercising at all. By the end of the season, only 10% of SRLA students reported that they exercised 2 or fewer days per week. In fact, 90% of SRLA students reported exercising 3 or more days each week. What's even more remarkable is that 90% of students continued to be physically active even after the SRLA program ended.
Inside the classroom, SRLA students demonstrated their resilience and dedication:
· 98.6% of SRLA seniors graduated high school;
· 95.5% of these graduates have plans to attend college in the fall; and
· 77.7% of those students are among the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Check out this detailed graduation report that breaks down all the numbers demographically.
SRLA students will be attending prestigious institutions like Yale, Middlebury College, UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, as well as local community colleges and many other universities.
125 of these graduating seniors will be taking $500 SRLA Scholarships with them to college this fall. You can see the full list of scholarship winners here.
Not all SRLA seniors are heading to college. In fact, multiple SRLA Marathon Finishers, who have autism, proudly received their certificates of completion and will be attending special LAUSD programs in the fall.
In most cases, students on these divergent educational paths would never have the opportunity to interact. However, as SRLA teammates, they built bridges of understanding, supporting and encouraging each other all the way to the finish line and beyond. There’s no better way to build pathways of empathy and inclusivity.
Finally, SRLA celebrated its remarkable season and the SRLA Class of 2023 at the SRLA Spring into Summer 5K held in Boyle Heights.
The finisher festival was filled with local organizations that offered opportunities to keep youth active and engaged throughout the summer, including LA Recreation and Parks, LA Library, LAUSD Summer Programs, and more!
It has been incredible to see the SRLA community – volunteers, donors, public runners, family members, educators, alumni & more – come together to support SRLA students this season. Thank you for being a part of it and making an impact for so many.
YOU CAN KEEP SRLA RUNNING FOR THE NEXT SEASON!
Donate, volunteer, or sponsor our students to make a difference with SRLA.