On March 19th, thirteen members of the Venice’s Students Run LA Program completed the 37th Los Angeles Marathon. 

The LA Marathon spans 26.2 Miles and begins at Dodger Stadium and ends at the Avenue of the Stars, Century City.

Coach Michael Smith has been running the program at Venice High for 15 years.

SRLA’s ultimate goal has been “Completion over competition,” according to Smith.

“We want the students to do the best that they can, but obviously the ultimate goal is to set a goal and accomplish that. Not only with the LA Marathon, but with other races and practices as well.”

Smith said that it has been an “incredible teaching tool in so many ways” and can be used for both students and teachers (like himself) alike. 

For Smith himself, he said that SRLA has taught him discipline, specifically health-wise, and is a great program to students for the same reason in order for them to translate it into their lives.

For SRLA to prepare themselves for the LA Marathon in March, they would meet up on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays & Weekends every week starting in early November.

Sophomore Ridhima Arora, a SRLA member, said that during the weekdays, SRLA would typically run around the Venice neighborhood. While on the weekend, they would run to Will Rogers park or Manhattan Beach. 

Arora also mentions that they have completed other races, whether that be 18 ’milers’ to half marathons, prior to the LA Marathon in order to be more experienced and prepared.

“I feel like as if I’ve become stronger mentality and physically ever since I’ve finished the marathon. It’s just a great accomplishment in my life that shows that if I put my mind to it, I can do it.”

Arora said that her main goal during the marathon was to finish alongside her fellow runners.

“They’re here proud of me and here to help me during the marathon as much as they can.”

Arora utilized her Sport-Medicine skills during the marathon as many were succumbing to cramps during the marathon.

Smith was planning not to chaperone the SRLA runners in the Los Angeles Marathon this year. But, due to Ms. Leah Divincenzo, a WLGS magnet teacher, having an injury – Smith was needed to Chaperone.

“I don’t feel like I was quite as prepared because I was thinking to myself, ‘I wasn’t going to be doing it’ this year. But, then I decided to do it.”

“It was tough, but I got through it, and I’m glad I did it,” he said.