Hundreds Of Local Students Pound The Pavement In Rose Bowl Half Marathon In Pasadena
PASADENA (CBSLA) — Hundreds of local students gathered on Sunday to take on the Rose Bowl Half Marathon in Pasadena.
The 13.1 mile race began at 7 a.m., beginning just outside of the Rose Bowl, before participants ran through Colorado Street Bridge, Old Town Pasadena and Cal Tech University before finishing on the field of the world-famous Rose Bowl.
Among its participants were Students Run LA, a program that teaches at-risk youth long-term goals through continuous races on a monthly basis, leading to the full Los Angeles Marathon.
"It is an opportunity to make them understand that they are young, youthful, that they really haven't reached their peak and that they have a long road ahead of them, that they can achieve long-term goals," said Sam Scruggs, who works at Locke High School with Students Run LA.
Scruggs added that the program assist its young participants in knowing that they can accomplish anything, teaching them that they can achieve their long-term goals, with a very long road ahead of them.
Over 3,000 students throughout the county partake in the program.
CBS reporters were on hand to speak with a number of student runners prior to the race. "I really like to challenge myself. I grew up in Mexico, so I never had the opportunity to join a sport," said Denise Garcia. "It gives me a sense of accomplishment and knowing that I am able to run 13.1 miles," she continued. "Every time I check my pace, it gets better. It makes me feel like I'm able to accomplish anything."
Carlos Hildago, another student taking part in the half-marathon, in his second year of competition, also spoke with CBS reporters prior to the race, "The experience I get is amazing - being with other people."
The 13.1 mile race began at 7 a.m., beginning just outside of the Rose Bowl, before participants ran through Colorado Street Bridge, Old Town Pasadena and Cal Tech University before finishing on the field of the world-famous Rose Bowl.