Coach Hardesty is an SRLA Leader at Carter High School. She has been a part of Students Run LA for 20 years and has completed 13 LA Marathons. She is now training with her students for the 2023 race. Read on to get to know Coach Hardesty and hear about her experiences in SRLA.

What motivated you to become an SRLA Leader?
Our longtime marathon lead coach, Denise Miller, and the success she and the student runners had when they brought the SRLA program to our middles school. I eventually joined and we brought the program with us when we opened our then new high school in 2003. Thankfully, we had teachers willing to keep the program going at the middle school we were leaving.

What is your favorite memory (so far!) from SRLA?
This is my 20th year with SRLA and I have too many memories to have a favorite. The best thing that has happened is having one of our SRLA alumni come back and help us coach SRLA and cross country while completing his Masters degree in applied Mathematics at Cal Poly, Pomona (my alma mater). This is one of my proudest moments as a teacher and a coach.

What has been your biggest challenge as a leader? How did you overcome it?
Since COVID our numbers have been very low. Happily we have regained some lost ground this season. I believe this has happened through continued positive relationships that are built on the SRLA team. Good word spreads fast!

What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
That this is my 20th year with SRLA.

What is your favorite training tip, quote, or words of advice that you share with your students?
Your first marathon is to finish. After that we can focus on a time you want to finish.

What is something about SRLA that brings you joy?
Watching runners continue to progress successfully through their training schedule when they think it is too hard. And then seeing them earn that next medal!

Rapid Fire!
My favorite race has been...
I have two. The first is the Holiday Half because I grew up in Pomona going the fair every year. My second is the Rose Bowl Half because we finish o n the 50 yard line.
The longest run I've ever finished was...
28 1/2 miles

One thing I can't run without is...

My own bottle of water

The best part of every race is...
FINISHING

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Leader Spotlight - Coach Hardesty, 20 Years Running

Students Run LA