Abel’s Journey: Running for Resilience, Family, and Community

For sophomore Abel, running isn’t just about crossing the finish line—it’s about family, perseverance, and personal growth. As a student at Blair High School and a dedicated member of Students Run LA (SRLA), Abel recently completed his second marathon, this time alongside his mother, Lupe. But his journey started long before he laced up his own running shoes.

Abel comes from an SRLA family. When his mother was a teenager, she was “roped in” to joining SRLA and running the LA Marathon by her older brothers, who were passionate about endurance sports. That tradition has continued with Abel, who joined SRLA at the encouragement of a childhood friend and his mother. After finishing his first marathon last year, he decided that this time, he and Lupe would run it together.

For Lupe, running has been more than just a challenge—it’s been a way to lead by example for her son. “I just kept pushing myself because I wanted to accomplish something with him,” she said. Training wasn’t easy, especially while balancing work, motherhood, and postpartum recovery, but she refused to quit. “I can’t show that to my kids. I want to be an example.”

Her resilience paid off. Not only did she complete the marathon, but she also ran 13 miles alongside Abel—a powerful moment of connection. “Up to 20 miles, my legs were cramping up, and I’m like, you know, I only have a few more miles to go. I gotta push myself.”

Just weeks before the marathon, Abel and his family faced an unimaginable challenge when they lost their home in the Eaton Fire. The fire destroyed nearly everything—including his hard-earned LA Marathon finisher’s medal and his running shoes. In the face of such devastation, many would have been tempted to step away, to take a break from training. But for Abel, running became a way to keep moving forward.

“I lost a house, and not really the way I wanted to,” Abel shared. “Everything that I’ve accomplished, every single medal I have, every single collection—everything I had is gone.”

Yet, through it all, he remained committed to his training. With the support of his school, SRLA, and his family, Abel kept running. He found solace in long runs, the company of his teammates, and the goal of finishing another marathon. And when he crossed the LA Marathon finish line in March, Abel wasn’t just running for himself—he was running for his family, for his city, and for resilience in the face of hardship.

Abel’s passion for running wasn’t always there. In fact, he once disliked it. “If you told me four years ago I would run a marathon, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he admitted. “I hated running. I wouldn’t run for anything. But it feels good to have pushed myself this far. Now, I love running.”

His love for the sport has grown, in part, because of the friendships he’s made through SRLA. “It’s a good excuse to hang out with my friends,” he said. “I like waking up early on Saturdays, running early, and feeling the breeze. I love long runs—my body goes on autopilot, and I hear nature around me.”

Balancing rigorous training with academics is no small feat, especially for a student as ambitious as Abel. He takes International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, participates in Upward Bound, and even takes college classes while still in high school. “He’s academically very motivated,” said his coach, Veronica. “It’s nice to see him have this outlet with how busy he is.”

Running has provided not only an academic balance for Abel but also a deeper sense of purpose. His personal experiences have inspired him to pursue cardiology. “My little brother was born with a heart defect,” Abel explained. “That drives me. His aunt had it, and his dad had it too.”

Coach Veronica has witnessed Abel’s growth firsthand. “Last year, he didn’t talk much, maybe only with his friends. But this year, he flourished. After the fires, I heard his interview on the radio, and I knew he’s resilient. He’s become a voice for those who haven’t been able to speak yet.”

She also emphasized his inspiring outlook: “Abel’s positivity is truly inspiring. Despite everything he has been through, he always shows up with a smile, lifting up those around him. His determination is a testament to the strength and heart of the SRLA community.”

Abel’s story is one of perseverance—on and off the racecourse. Through SRLA, he not only built endurance for the marathon but also developed the resilience to overcome life’s unexpected hurdles. Now, as he looks ahead to his next chapter, he carries with him the lessons learned from SRLA: discipline, determination, and the belief that he can keep going, no matter the obstacles.