The Heart of LA 5k is just around the corner, with staff, students, partners and community members ready to run this weekend in support of our mission of offering free, high quality academic and enrichment programs for kids in LA.
Over the last several weeks, students and mentors in the the Heart of LA Bridges Program — the personalized support program for middle schoolers transitioning to high school, continued to train hard together, hitting the streets as a group, walking or running multiple times a week.
Silvia España, Bridges Program Director says she decided to work in collaboration with other running groups after Alan Figueroa, founder of the LADW Pacers Running Club, Latinos Run LA Assistant and Lululemon Run Ambassador spoke as a guest speaker in a Bridges class.
They hit it off, and he invited the Bridges Team to join the LADW Running Club train for the 5k.
“Whenever we run with high school students, they are competing against each other. I wanted to remind [the students] running can be something else. I really like the group because no one is left behind,” said España.
Although they are still running and challenging themselves, “they encourage everyone to wait for each other,” she added. They do one mile at a time, pausing at a stop point. It gives them a chance to go above and beyond their regular running training.”
Lizette Marroquin, ambassador for Latinos Run LA, Community Specialist for HOKA Venice Run Club has been going on these runs. She posted on social media that it’s all about creating spaces for youth in the community, “these kids are ready for the 5k.”
HOKA recently invited Bridges to run on the beach and visit their location in Venice.
They facilitated a yoga and breathing session, teaching the students how maintaining a steady breathing is integral to the process.
Antonio L, Bridges student says he’s been focusing on breath as a crucial component for his success. “The breathing technique and how to keep my pace,” he said.
Pep Rally: personalized jerseys, positive signs, and a powerful show of support
The training and fundraising efforts culminated in a pep rally on campus last Sunday on the main campus. They were joined by supporters from Jewish Federation Los Angeles, Latinos Run Los Angeles, HOLA community members, friends and family, who all came out to show their support.
There were several craft stations to make materials like personalized jerseys and encouraging signs. Supporters painted signs that read “Keep Pushing” and ” You Can Do This.”
The training has gained so much momentum that students who didn’t sign up prior are asking España as recently as this week if she still has room on the roster.
She attributes this to the community building that’s been happening throughout the process, “it’s become this cool thing to do,” she says.
“This goes back to the Bridges Program, providing enrichment opportunities. They’re committed to participating with us because of the structure that we have,” she says.
España said, one of her students has recently expressed that they’d like to step up to the challenge and run the LA Marathon next year. That’s a 26 mile race.
“They’re really active, they play soccer, I feel like they’re going to learn another skill that’s going to improve their soccer skills – or even further explore the running world,” she said.
This community fundraising event welcomes participants from both Heart of LA and the broader LA community. The Heart of La 5k takes place at 8 am on Saturday, March 15 at Dodger Stadium.
