Marathon Leader Handbook 2017-2018 V2

Marathon Leader Handbook

IN TRAINING FOR THE Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon Sunday, March 18, 2018

Table of Contents

Leader Calendar Page 4 Letter from Michelle King, Superintendent of Schools, LAUSD Page 5 Letter from Tracey Russell, CEO, LA Marathon LLC Page 6 Letter from Alvaro Cortés, Senior Executive Director, Beyond the Bell Page 7

Introductions Page 8 Mission Statement and Philosophy Page 9 Fast Facts Page 10

Program Overview Page 11 Program Guidelines Page 12 - 13

Program Policies Page 14 - 23 Group Management Marathon Leader Friends of SRLA Chaperone Code of Conduct Student Runners Bus Policy Race Morning Procedures Running Etiquette SRLA Fundraising Policy

Scholarship Program Page 24 Weekly Training Schedule Page 25 Training Guide Page 26 - 28 Form Descriptions Page 29 SRLA Cares Page 30 In it for the long run… 26.2! Page 31

2017-2018 Schedule* July / Thursday, July 27 SRLA Leader Conference at The California Endowment August Saturday, August 9 New Leader Orientation at Banning High School**

Wednesday, September 13 Marathon Leader Meeting at LA84 Foundation September Sunday, September 24 SRLA Kick-off 5K at Dockweiler Beach

Saturday, October 7 Physicals by Healthcare Partners at Montebello HCP October Saturday, October 28 SRLA Castaic 10K at Castaic Lake Recreation

Wednesday, November 8 Marathon Leader Meeting at LA84 Foundation November Saturday, November 18 SRLA Arroyo 15K at Arroyo Seco Natural Park

Sat. – Sun., Dec. 2 and 3 Shoe Distribution at the SRLA Office December Sunday, December 10 Holiday Half Marathon at Pomona Fairplex

Wednesday, January 17 Marathon Leader Meeting at LA84 Foundation January Sunday, January 21 Pasadena Half Marathon at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena^

Sunday, February 11 18-mile Friendship Run at Hansen Dam, Pacoima February Sat. – Sun., Feb. 24 and 25 Uniform Distribution at SRLA Office

Wednesday, March 7 Marathon Leader Meeting at LA84 Foundation March / Sunday, March 18 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon^ April Wednesday, April 4 Marathon Leader Meeting at LA84 Foundation

*Schedule subject to change. **It is mandatory for new primary leaders and leader of new groups to attend the training. ^Entries to the Pasadena Half Marathon and the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon are NOT included for SRLA Friends as part of the SRLA Friends donation. © Students Run America 2017 Last Update: August 18, 2017 4

July 27, 2017

Dear SRLA Leaders,

Thank you for a tremendous 2017 event! All of your hard work paid off and over 3,000 of your hard working students crossed the finish line and fulfilled a dream, all thanks to you! Your role as an SRLA Leader is so important to the success of your students, both academically and in life. Your commitment to them, both in and out of the classroom is a testament to the SRLA mission.

Conqur Endurance Group is so proud of our 28 year partnership with Students Run LA – the impact you have on our youth is immeasurable, and we appreciate having the opportunity to be a part of that story. We are excited to be expanding that partnership to include the Pasadena Half Marathon at the Rose Bowl for the 2018 season. Finishing at the 50 yard line at one of the most iconic stadiums in the nation is an experience that will be memorable for all!

On behalf of our team at Conqur, we wish everyone the best of luck in your training and preparing for the 2018 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. Thank you for all you do!

Best Regards,

Tracey Russell Chief Executive Officer

Introduction

Welcome to all new and returning SRLA Leaders! Students Run LA is looking forward to the 2017-2018 season. We are pleased that you are joining or rejoining us this year, and we hope we can work together to have a fun and exciting season. This handbook provides the program overview, guidelines, and policies that you will need to manage a group. This is the foundation you will need to inspire your students, and to teach them the physical, mental, and emotional skills they will need for training to complete the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, March 18, 2018. In physical terms, the goal for our students is to enable them to complete the prescribed distances in a safe and healthy manner. However, even more broadly, Students Run LA is about teaching students to set and achieve goals in their personal lives. Indeed, SRLA is a mentoring program, and you, the Leaders, are the mentors. Through your efforts, students will be able to transfer the lessons of their physical training and accomplishments into their school, work, and personal lives. The thrill of our program is in the growth and maturation of our students. Ultimately, success lies in the ability to help students stay in school, graduate from high school, matriculate to college or university and gain employment. SRLA Leaders are the most critical instruments in this process. If you have questions, please call, email, or write to us. We are here to help you. We look forward to a terrific season. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Happy Running!

SRLA Office 5252 Crebs Ave Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 654-3360 www.srla.org Office Hours: M-F 10:00 am to 5:00 pm* STAFF: Marsha Charney, Executive Director [email protected] Rosny Mandell, Director of Operations [email protected] Christine Pajak, Development Director [email protected] Paul Trapani, Program Director [email protected]

SENIOR COORDINATORS: Harry Shabazian (Retired LAUSD) [email protected] Eric Spears (Retired LAUSD) [email protected]

COORDINATORS: Joe Mendoza (Banning High School) [email protected] Abel Navar (Maywood Academy) [email protected]

* Please call ahead to verify office hours since there may be times when no one is available.

Mission Statement The mission of Students Run LA is to challenge at-risk secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a truly life-changing experience: The training for and completion of the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon.

Students Run LA Implementation Statement

To carry out this mission, SRLA will continue to: • Provide teacher/mentors to assist students in their training and to reinforce the lessons of responsibility, discipline, and goal-setting; • Support students in their attempt to meet a difficult goal, to break down their mental barriers to accomplishing that goal, and to create “can do” attitudes; • Introduce students to the pleasure of running, encourage students to develop the habit of physical fitness, and teach students aspects of healthy living; • Create an opportunity for students of all ethnic groups, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds to meet one another and experience an important sense of belonging; and • Offer a program in which all students are welcome, all have the same chance to achieve a common goal, and all can become winners.

For many of the students, training for a marathon represents the first time that they have committed to a specific goal. By providing them an opportunity for incremental accomplishment and a supportive environment to help them on their way, SRLA gives the students the inspiration, excitement, and encouragement to accomplish their goal.

Fast Facts

WHAT: Now in its 29th year, Students Run LA (SRLA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides a free after-school mentoring and physical fitness program for at-risk middle and high school students across greater Los Angeles. The program prepares them to complete the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon each year. While running is the core activity of the program, SRLA students learn how to set and achieve goals, gain confidence, and develop life-long healthy habits.

WHO: • 500 teachers volunteer to train alongside 3,200+ students for 6+ months • SRLA students are 87.5% Latino and 12.5% other: 51% boys and 49% girls • SRLA students are predominantly from low-income families • More than 63,000 students have participated since the program began in 1989

WHY: Because the results are spectacular! SRLA Students… • Learn discipline: 95%+ finish the Los Angeles Marathon each year • Graduate high school: 95%+ of SRLA seniors graduate each year • Go to college: 95%+ of SRLA seniors plan to go to college • Improve their social emotional behavior, with most students reporting improved self-confidence, leadership skills, and responsibility

External evaluations show that students participating in SRLA: • Enjoy school and learning • Know how to deal with their problems • Make better plans for after high school • Have mentors who believe in them

Crossing the finish line is just the beginning. As students report, year after year, “Now I know I can achieve anything I set my mind to!”

SRLA has been rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator

WHERE: At 180 middle and high schools and community sites throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area, including: East Los Angeles, Downtown, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, and South Bay.

WHEN: 3 to 4 days per week and weekends from August through March.

LEARN MORE: Check out our website and follow us on social media: Website: www.srla.org Facebook: facebook.com/StudentsRun Twitter: twitter.com/SRLA Instagram: instagram.com/studentsrunla

Program Overview

BACKGROUND: In 1986, a continuation high school teacher, Harry Shabazian, in East Los Angeles finished the first LA Marathon and felt personally transformed by the experience. He then challenged his students, who were in trouble or headed for it, to train with him for the next LA Marathon and change their lives as well. These young people, labeled misfits and under-achievers, not only finished the LA Marathon the following year, but also finished high school and went to college and jobs.

Then in 1988, two other continuation high school teachers, Eric Spears and Paul Trapani, joined Harry, and the three teachers ran with their students. In 1989, Roberta Weintraub, a member of the Los Angeles Board of Education, saw what the teachers were doing as an effective and innovative dropout prevention after-school program for Los Angeles Unified School District students. She and her deputy, Marsha Charney, established the program in LAUSD.

That was a turning point for SRLA. On March 4, 1990, two dozen teachers from around the city joined the three co-founders, with students from their respective schools, and together, they all ran in the 5th LA Marathon.

In 1993, SRLA spun off from LAUSD and became an independent 501(c)(3) organization. Today, that one teacher and his handful of students have grown to 500 Leaders and 3,250 students from 180 schools and community programs throughout the greater Los Angeles area. SRLA has successfully carried out the same teacher-led training program, to challenge at-risk secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a truly life-changing experience: The training for and completion of the Los Angeles Marathon.

SPONSORSHIP: Students who participate in the program do not pay to participate. All of the equipment and fees are paid for by SRLA. The staff undertakes continued fundraising efforts to fully support the students. The generous support of private donors, including foundations, corporations, and individuals, fund SRLA’s program. Through these financial and in-kind contributions, SRLA is able to provide each student who commits to the philosophy and rules of the program the following:

§ SRLA training t-shirt and marathon uniform; § Entry fees and transportation* to each SRLA event; § One pair of running shoes (for students committed to running the Los Angeles Marathon); § Scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors.

CONCLUSION: SRLA has proven to be far more than just an athletic program. It is a program to teach students to set and achieve a goal. Using the process of training for and completing a marathon, SRLA teaches students to set and complete the goal of staying in school, completing high school, graduating, matriculating to post-secondary education, and gaining employment. The results over the years are seen in the improved attitudes, behaviors, and academic commitment of the many young participants. Because of the non-competitive emphasis, SRLA appeals to many “non-athletes” who would not normally attempt something this challenging. The result is a program in which every young person can realize an “impossible dream.”

*Not every group will qualify for transportation. Please refer to the bus policy.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

The success of SRLA is based on the commitment and unselfish devotion of the Leaders. Without you, SRLA could not exist. SRLA needs Leaders who are interested in and dedicated to helping young people feel the thrill of completing a Marathon. The SRLA program is NOT a free ticket to road runs, shoes, and Marathon entry. It IS an opportunity to help others and oneself prepare for the Marathon. Leaders are expected to follow these guidelines:

1. Attend scheduled SRLA meetings and runs, paying close attention to all of the deadlines for submitting forms and requesting transportation.

2. Make sure that your students are adequately prepared for each SRLA road run; that they have the necessary paper work and forms completed; that they have run at least three days each week and have completed the minimum amount of running time and/or miles per week; that they eat and drink fluids the night before; and that they know what to expect and what is expected of them for each run.

3. SRLA is a RUNNING program. Groups may use a run/walk method to work on participant pacing. It is expected that all SRLA participants will be able to maintain at least a 15-minute-per-mile pace (regardless of the distance). In reality, this is a good walking pace, however, most participants will need to incorporate running in order to maintain the expected pace. This means that all participants are expected to complete the following distances in the time identified below: 5K/3.1 miles Complete in 45 minutes or less 10K/6.2 miles Complete in 1 hour and 33 minutes or less 15K/9.3 miles Complete in 2 hours and 20 minutes or less Half marathon/13.1 miles Complete in 3 hours and 17 minutes or less 18 miles Complete in 4 hours and 30 minutes or less Marathon/26.2 miles Complete in 7 hours or less (allows for 16-minute pace) Students who are unprepared and/or are unable to keep up (i.e., who average over 15 minutes per mile) make the students who are prepared wait for hours beyond their finish time. Slower students must be told that they are not keeping up and that they will have to wait for the next year, giving more time to their preparation.

4. Discuss the need for safety at each training run. Make sure that your students understand the runners' rules of the road. (Runners are pedestrians and, if they run in the street, they must always run on the side of the street facing oncoming traffic.) Make sure that your students run defensively, always watching out for cars and always obeying the rules of the road. It is recommended that the Leader supervise each run and that assistant Leaders be recruited to help. Students need to be forewarned of both potential problems as well as unforeseen/unexpected possibilities. Younger students require much closer supervision for all runs.

Program Guidelines continued 5. Discuss the need for good manners at every event. Students need to learn the basics of runners' etiquette: allowing faster runners to start first and to pass; moving to the side of the road if a runner needs to stop; respecting the time-keeping officials and rules; and respecting and thanking the volunteers who help with the race. They need to display good citizenship and sportsmanship at all times, and conduct themselves as responsible young adults who are representing their schools, the SRLA program, and the Los Angeles community.

6. Anticipate the possibility of emergencies that might arise (medical, school, social, financial, personal, anything else). Bring the students' Trip Slips (which includes their parents' authorization of medical care) to EVERY event. Have one Leader designated with a cell phone available to receive calls in case of an emergency during each event. All Leaders should know the emergency number and be aware that while out on the event course to watch out for problems and be prepared to assist as needed.

7. Make SRLA a positive experience for everyone. The object of the program is to provide an opportunity for students to train for and complete a marathon. Although the SRLA training runs are public road races, this is NOT a competitive program. It is important that we do not interfere with those runners who have entered these races to try and make a PR. Displaying proper running etiquette (giving right of way, letting faster runners pass) is a must. An underlying theme is inclusion: to encourage everyone who wants to train to join and become an active participant. The SRLA Leaders must set an example for their students.

8. Support student identification with SRLA by requiring all group members to wear their SRLA shirts; by being an active and contributing participant with the larger group; by respecting the leadership of other SRLA Leaders; and by socializing with students from other schools. All Leaders, Friends, and Student Runners should have an SRLA logo shirt on as their uniform at each official SRLA calendar event. Student Runners without approved SRLA attire at official SRLA calendar events are subject to disqualification from SRLA and automatic administrative deactivation.

9. Understand that younger students need special attention and supervision during their training. While SRLA allows students aged 12 years old and in at least the 7th grade to train with the program, these students must be carefully supervised during their training. The Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon only allows runners 16 years and older to register and participate in the marathon. SRLA is the one exception to this rule. In order to maintain this exception we rely on the Leaders to make sure all students, but particularly the younger students are adequately trained and prepared to run a marathon. Oftentimes these younger runners may choose to set completion of the half-marathon as their goal for the year, with a commitment to run again with SRLA the next year.

10. Find support within the greater SRLA Family by maintaining communication with the office staff, Coordinators, and your fellow Leaders. The organization has successfully completed 28 seasons and this has been in part because of the community that exists between all of us. Please utilize available opportunities to ask questions and share with one another regarding best practices.

Program Policies (July 15, 2017 - July 14, 2018)

Updated: July 7, 2017

Our goal is to provide the most positive, exciting, rewarding, and safe experience possible. The Coordinators and Staff are available to support and assist Marathon Leaders in meeting this challenge. Students Run LA reserves the right to deny a Marathon Leader, Friend of SRLA, Student Runner, or an entire group the right to participate in the program for noncompliance with SRLA policies.

Group Management § Due to the tremendous growth experienced by SRLA, the size and scope of the program has outpaced resources, staffing, and community race facilities. As a result, starting with the 2009 - 2010 season, all groups were given a limit to the number of student runner participants. § Marathon Leaders are expected to manage their groups based on the number of spaces assigned at the beginning of the season. It is likely that additional spaces will not be available. A group not using all of its spaces can choose to transfer those spaces to another group. § High School groups are limited to a maximum of 40 runners and middle school groups are limited to a maximum of 25 runners. Groups already at the maximum for their school level will not be able to receive additional spaces from another group. § In the early part of the season Marathon Leaders may choose to allow additional students to train with the group, in order to determine which runners are able to keep up with the marathon training. Marathon Leaders should make clear their expectations regarding what students need to do to be able to participate in SRLA, and hold them to it. Encouraging wait list participation will likely result in very difficult choices once rosters are locked. § Group rosters are final as of Friday, December 1, 2017. No additional changes will be allowed after this deadline. § Program sites may have only one official SRLA program, and the members of this sanctioned SRLA group are those runners listed and cleared on the online roster. Only participants on the group’s active roster are permitted to register and participate in SRLA scheduled public events with the program. Violation of this policy may result in the SRLA program being removed from the program location. § All groups who are within the SRLA geographical boundaries, but are outside of the LAUSD must have on file with the office a signed Approval of Participation form from the District Superintendent or charter CEO. If restrictions exist at the behest of a district, such as participation be limited to specific schools within that district, then Leaders may only train students from the approved schools. Students from private schools or from other unapproved schools/districts may not participate in the SRLA program. Should such students continue to participate and are found to be ineligible; they will be removed from the program. Scholarships will not be available to these students, and should they apply, their applications will be disallowed.

§ Groups must have 75% of the student runners on the roster attending the school or campus where the group is located. § In order to stay consistent with our goal of celebrating the achievements of the overall SRLA group Marathon Leaders, Friends, and student runners are required to wear a SRLA logo t-shirt at training events. Every effort is made to provide an official training shirt to every student runner in our program. If one is not available for the current season, student runners may wear a SRLA logo t-shirt or singlet provided during a previous season. Additionally, all runners (including Marathon Leaders and Friends of SRLA) participating in SRLA sponsored events must have an approved bib that may not be altered or given to another. Bib swapping is grounds for dismissal from the program. § It is mandatory for new groups and new Primary Leaders of returning groups to attend the Leader Conference on Thursday, July 27 and the New Leader Training session on Saturday, August 19. § Each group is to provide a responsible adult (Chaperone) on marathon day to verify with a signature that all of their group’s participants have checked in with SRLA and are accounted for by the end of the day. The Chaperone MUST be a non-running adult, and must be designated by January 19, 2018. Marathon bibs will not be released to the entire group until this person is assigned. § Any group with no runners participating as of marathon day will be able to return the following season as long as the group’s Primary Leader confirms the group’s participation prior to the returning group deadline. If participation is not confirmed by the deadline, the group will be asked to contact the office in April of the following year in order to submit a new application.

Marathon Leaders

§ All groups with 10 or more student runners are entitled to 3 Marathon Leaders (21 years and older): 1 Primary Leader, 1 Secondary Leader, and 1 Support Leader. All Leaders are required to help train or manage the group and are required to familiarize themselves with the Program Guidelines and Policies. The structure of each group within SRLA is based upon the leadership and accountability of a Primary Leader. It is the responsibility of that Primary Leader to carefully select a Secondary and a Support Leader who also will be conscientious and committed to the safety and best interest of the students. § The bulk of SRLA correspondence will be directed toward the Primary Leader. In turn, the Primary Leader will share this information with the other Leaders and the group. If the Primary Leader is unavailable, SRLA information will be directed to the Secondary and/or Support Leaders with the expectation that it will be shared with the Primary Leader and the group. § SRLA groups operate independently following the policies, guidelines, and schedules put forth by Students Run LA. The Marathon Leaders for each group determine the roles each will play in managing their group. Marathon Leaders are responsible for managing their groups in the following areas: • Effective recruitment and training of students. • Accountability for the selection of all adults who work with the students. • Enforcing SRLA policies including proper precautions relating to safety and behavior. • Securing a physical clearance, waiver, acknowledgement of program expectations, and trip slip for every student. © Students Run America 2017 Last Update: August 18, 2017 15

• Student discipline. • Roster management. • Bus requests (if applicable). • Attending Marathon Leader meetings. • Assigning a responsible adult (Chaperone) for marathon day to verify with a signature that all of the group’s participants have been accounted by the end of the day. • Material pick-up and allocation (including shoes, uniforms, and event bib numbers). • Communicating with school or group administration, parents, fellow leaders, and students. • Maintaining contact with SRLA personnel including checking and responding to SRLA email regularly. § By September 29, 2017, all Marathon Leaders (Primary, Secondary, and Support) must complete a Marathon Leader Form and Waiver, and return the completed signed original to the SRLA Office. You can download a copy of this form from your group’s main page. § Any Marathon Leader changes/additions after September 29, 2017 will require that a completed Marathon Leader Information Form and Waiver be on file with the SRLA Office as soon as possible. Leaders without the form on file, may appear on your roster, but will not qualify for race registration or SRLA materials until the SRLA Office processes the completed form. § Marathon Leaders who are not a credentialed employee at a school district or an officer with a police agency are required to submit proof of Live Scan fingerprinting to the SRLA Office by September 29, 2017. All Marathon Leaders without fingerprint clearance on file on this date will remain on your active roster but will not qualify for race registration or SRLA materials. Marathon Leaders with fingerprint clearance already on file with the SRLA Office from the previous season do not need to be fingerprinted again. There is a $20 - $30 fee for fingerprinting that is to be paid by the Marathon Leader at the time of Live Scan fingerprinting. § Marathon Leader meetings are very important to ensure that every group is receiving SRLA materials and the latest information regarding the program. At least one representative from each group should attend each Marathon Leader meeting. You are expected to share information presented at the Marathon Leader meeting with the other Leaders of your group who were unable to attend and your group’s Friends of SRLA. Any Marathon Leader expecting to receive LAUSD salary points for participating in SRLA, may miss only one Marathon Leader meeting over the course of the season since the meetings represent class hours. § It is the responsibility of the Marathon Leader to check the group’s SRLA email account at least once every 4 days during the season. Most correspondence and critical information is shared with Marathon Leaders via email from the Coordinators and the Staff. § All Marathon Leaders without the required paperwork, and Fingerprint clearance on file (if required) as of November 3, 2017, will be automatically deactivated from the program.

Friends of SRLA

§ The Friends of SRLA component was designed to allow additional adults (21 years and older) the opportunity to be involved with the students as assistants under the supervision of the Primary Leader. Friends of SRLA must be familiar with the Marathon Leader Expectations and be responsible for some aspect of training or leadership of the group as assigned by the Primary Leader. The Friends of

SRLA program should not be used as an opportunity for adults to use SRLA materials and events in support of a personal training schedule. § Friends of SRLA are invited to join the program by the Primary Leader. Friends of SRLA must be made aware that their role is in support of student training and to assist Marathon Leaders with group supervision. § The non-refundable, non-tax deductible donation for a Friend of SRLA is $150. The actual retail value of this program is almost $500. This donation entitles a Friend to race fees for SRLA sponsored events (except the Pasadena Half Marathon at the Rose Bowl and Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon), training and race t-shirts, and an SRLA Marathon Uniform. Running shoes and entries to the Pasadena Half Marathon at the Rose Bowl and the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon are NOT included. Friends of Students Run LA do NOT qualify for LAUSD salary points. § Friends of SRLA planning on running the marathon will need to register and pay for their entry to the event. It is recommended that runners sign-up early since the event is expected to sell out. SRLA will be able to provide registration codes for a discounted marathon entry to Friends of SRLA who are able to commit to raising money to support the organization. § Friends of SRLA running the marathon must provide SRLA with their race number by March 7, 2018 in order to attend the finish line celebration and check in at Santa Monica High School. § Each group may qualify for Friends of SRLA as follows: A group with 5 student runners qualifies for 1 Friend. For each additional 10 student runners, a group may qualify for an additional Friend (i.e., 5 Student Runners = 1 Friend, 15 Student Runners = 2 Friends, 25 Student Runners = 3 Friends, etc.). § Groups with fewer than 5 student runners do not qualify for the Friends of SRLA program. § Qualified Friends of SRLA must complete a Friend of Students Run LA Form and Waiver, and submit $150 payment to Students Run LA. You can download a copy of these forms from your group’s main page. The completed forms and payment must be on file with the SRLA Office by September 29, 2017. Friends of SRLA without the form on file, may appear on your roster, but will not qualify for race registration or SRLA materials until the SRLA Office processes the required completed forms and payment. § All Friends of SRLA who are not a credentialed employee of a school district or an officer with a police agency are required to submit proof of Live Scan fingerprinting to the SRLA Office by September 29, 2017. There is a $20 - $30 fee for fingerprinting that is to be paid by the Friend at the time of Live Scan fingerprinting. The fee is the responsibility of the Friend. Friends with fingerprint clearance already on file with the SRLA Office from the previous season do not need to be fingerprinted again. Friends of SRLA without fingerprint clearance on file by September 29, 2017 will not qualify for race registration or material distribution. § All Friends of SRLA without the required paperwork, Fingerprint clearance on file (if required), or missing Payment as of November 3, 2017, will be automatically deactivated from the program.

Chaperone Expectations

§ Each group must designate a responsible adult or “Chaperone” who will be available to SRLA personnel on marathon day. It is expected that the Chaperone will have on hand the emergency contact information for each Student Runner, Friend, and Marathon Leader in the group.

§ The Chaperone is to verify with a signature that all of his/her group’s participants have been accounted before leaving the SRLA Marathon Check-in area. Failure to verify with a signature that all of the group’s participants have been accounted before leaving the SRLA Marathon Check-in area may result in a loss of runner spots on a group’s roster. The Chaperone must provide a contact phone number that can be reached by SRLA personnel on marathon day. § The Chaperone MUST be an adult who is not running the Marathon on that day. The Chaperone is an essential emergency contact for the group and will stay until the last runner from that group finishes. At the end of the day, the Chaperone will verify that all of the group’s runners have been accounted for, by signing a release. The Chaperone is responsible for coordinating with Student Runners, Friends, Marathon Leaders, and parents from his/her group to make sure they are in contact with the Chaperone upon finishing or in case of an emergency. § On Marathon Day, SRLA services and support will be available until 4:00 pm. After 4:00 pm, it is expected that the Chaperone will take responsibility for any runners that have yet to complete the course or are in need of transportation home. § With the assistance of your Marathon Leader, a SRLA Chaperone should: • Act as a liaison between SRLA personnel and the participants and parents/families from your group. • Have access to emergency information (including support documents) for every member of your group. • Be familiar with the names, contact numbers, and marathon day plans of the parents/guardians of your Student Runners. • Be aware of the Student Runners from your group arriving at the Marathon on a SRLA bus, but returning home via private transportation. • Have a reliable marathon day contact phone number (fully charged cell phone). • Be familiar with the SRLA Check-in/Check-out procedure. • Be familiar with the Marathon course. • Be familiar with the running pace of the adult and Student Runners from your group. • Be familiar with the SRLA bus and private vehicle parking arrangements. • Have a plan to deal with emergencies and be aware of the location of nearby medical facilities (hospitals, and emergency medical treatment centers along the Marathon route). • Be prepared to remain near the general area of the marathon finish line until the Chaperone can account for all the runners from your group. • Be prepared to provide transportation home for any of the runners from your group if needed. Depending on the return time of the runners from your group, public transportation and SRLA bus transportation may not be available.

Code of Conduct with Students

§ The most important responsibility of Students Run LA (the “Program”) is the safety of our students. All volunteers, as well as individuals who work with or have contact with students, are reminded that they must be mindful of the fine line drawn between being sensitive to and supportive of students and a possible or perceived breach of responsible, ethical behavior. § While the Program encourages the cultivation of positive relationships with the students, volunteers and all individuals who work with or have contact with students are expected to use good judgment and are cautioned to avoid situations including, but not limited to the following: © Students Run America 2017 Last Update: August 18, 2017 18

1. Meeting individually with a student behind closed doors, regardless of gender.

2. Remaining on campus with students after the last administrator leaves the school site. (There are exceptions such as practices for training that meet with approval of the site administrator in advance).

3. Engaging in any behavior, either directly or indirectly with a student(s) or in the presence of a student(s), which are unprofessional, unethical, illegal, immoral, or exploitative.

4. Giving student(s) gifts, rewards, or incentives that are not Program related and for which it is directly or implicitly suggested that a student(s) is (are) to say or do something in return.

5. Making statements or comments, either directly or in the presence of a student(s), which are not age- appropriate, professional, or which may be considered sexual in nature, harassing, or demanding.

6. Touching or having physical contact with a student(s) that is not age- appropriate or within the scope of the responsibilities and/or duties of the volunteer/individual.

7. Transporting student(s) in a personal vehicle without proper written administrator and parent authorization forms on file in advance.

8. Taking or accompanying students(s) off campus for activities other than a Program approved field trip or event.

9. Meeting with or being in the company of student(s) off campus, except in Program-related and/or approved activities.

10. Communicating with student(s), in writing, by phone/ email/electronically, via Internet, or in person, at any time, for purposes that are not specifically Program-related.

11. Calling student(s) at home or on their cell phone, except for specific Program-related purposes and/or situations.

12. Providing student(s) with personal home/ cell phone number, personal email address, home address, or other personal contact information, except for specific Program related purposes and/or situations.

§ Even though the intent of the volunteer may be purely professional, those who engage in any of the above behavior(s), either directly or indirectly with a student(s) or in the presence of a student(s) are subjecting themselves to all possible perceptions of impropriety. Volunteers/individuals are advised that, when allegations of inappropriate conduct or behavior are made, the Program is obligated to investigate the allegations and, if warranted, take appropriate disciplinary action. Volunteers/ individuals who have questions or need further information should contact a Coordinator, or may call the office (818) 654- 3360.

Student Runner Policy and Procedures

§ The minimum age of a student runner is 12 years old by Marathon morning and not below the 7th grade. The maximum age of a student runner is 19 years old and still in high school as of Marathon morning. § All student runners must have a completed ORIGINAL Physical Clearance Form and Waiver on file with the SRLA Office by October 18, 2017. No copies or facsimiles will be accepted, and the completed original forms MUST be submitted together. All student runners without these forms on file on this date will not qualify for race registration or SRLA materials and will be automatically deactivated. The last day to register student runners for the 2017 - 2018 SRLA season is October 18, 2017. § It is very important to include complete information about your student runners as early as possible. Before adding a student runner to your roster, take a few moments to gather details including full name, date of birth, shirt size, shoe size, gender, ethnicity, and (very importantly for safety concerns) a phone number at which a contact can be reached during SRLA events. § Student runners without a contact phone number on your roster will remain on your active roster but will not qualify for race registration or SRLA materials. DO NOT USE the school phone number! THINK SAFETY FIRST! § Students will not be eligible to participate in the 18-mile Friendship Run unless they complete at least one of the two scheduled SRLA Half Marathons before the 18-mile SRLA Friendship Run. Failure to meet this requirement may result in student disqualification from the Program and will subject the student to automatic administrative deactivation. Leaders must feel confident that all student runners moving on to the 18-mile event have met the training requirements established by the group. Any student who is not eligible to participate in the Friendship Run will not be given entry into the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. § Student runners who do not (or cannot) participate in the SRLA 18-mile Friendship Run for reasons other than ineligibility will have their marathon entries and materials (including uniforms) set aside until the Marathon Leader can verify their runners have fulfilled their training commitment in preparation for the Marathon. Student Runners who did not attend the SRLA 18-mile Friendship Run (for any reason) and averaged MORE THAN A 15-MINUTE-PER-MILE PACE at their last SRLA event are subject to disqualification from SRLA and automatic administrative deactivation. § Student runners, who are not able to complete the SRLA 18-mile Friendship Run by finishing with a time that averages 16-minutes-per mile or more will not be eligible to participate in the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. Student runners who complete the 18-mile course by maintaining a pace greater than 15-minutes-per-mile AND less than 16-minutes-per-mile will have their marathon bib and program materials suspended and are subject to disqualification from the Program and automatic administrative deactivation. § If the Marathon Leader and parent (guardian) want to have the entry and materials reinstated, SRLA will need a signed form (provided by SRLA) confirming the following: An awareness that the SRLA check-in area will not be available after 4:00 pm; that transportation home from the marathon will NOT be available through SRLA; that private transportation home from the marathon has been arranged if necessary; that a Marathon Leader is committed to staying with the runner throughout the marathon course; and a responsible adult will be at the finish line in support of the student runner and will provide the necessary assistance. § Student runners arriving at the designated SRLA station(s) of the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon after the 16-minute-per-mile pace cut off time will not be allowed to continue unless an approved responsible adult, from the same group as the student, is there to assist the student to the finish line. Otherwise, SRLA will transport these students back to the SRLA reunion area near the finish line.

Bus Transportation

§ Bus transportation to scheduled events is provided to participating SRLA programs based at public schools within the boundaries of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Please contact the office with any questions relating to a group’s eligibility for transportation. § The following policy statement outlines accepted protocol for ordering and canceling buses throughout the season.

Ordering a Bus • Bus requests must be made before the deadline posted for each event (see online calendar). • Orders must be made online through the group’s SRLA Main Page. • Please provide an accurate and realistic count of the bus seats that you will need (include adults in count). • If a bus is not ordered by the deadline please email [email protected] and call the office immediately. Bus requests received after 11:00AM on the Monday prior to an event will not be filled. • Groups requesting 15 or fewer seats on a bus may be scheduled to pick-up the bus at a nearby school, and in some circumstances may not be accommodated. • In order to minimize the number of stops a single bus makes, groups located near to each other may be scheduled for a pick-up at a single school site.

Bus Cancellation Procedure (If you need to cancel a bus request, follow the instructions below prior to that event’s deadline). • Go to the Bus Request page from your Marathon Leader Main Page and replace the number in the Bus Seats column with a zero. Make sure you click once on the Update button after making the change. • Cancel no later than 5:00 pm on the Friday one-week prior to the event. • A cancellation less than one week before a race requires a phone call to the office and an email to [email protected]. • If the cancellation is AFTER the bus request deadline, you are responsible for having an adult present at your group’s pick-up point to send away the bus when it arrives for pick-up on race morning. • Do NOT cancel a bus after the registration deadline unless there is an emergency situation. Canceling the bus less than a week prior to an event may result in the group’s bus privileges being suspended for the remainder of the season.

Group Bus Protocol & Ramifications • Develop and enforce repercussions for students who do not show up for the bus and event. • If a group does not cancel the bus by the Friday one week prior to an event and an adult representative from your group is not at the pick up point on the morning of the event, your group will lose bus transportation for the remainder of the season. • The numbers of students who ride the bus compared to the number of seats requested will be monitored. If there is continued high absenteeism among a particular group, the group’s bus privileges may be suspended. • The transportation program is a privilege that can be terminated at any time.

Race Morning Procedure Please follow the instructions below on race morning: -The Primary, Secondary, or Support Marathon Leader of your group (NO STUDENTS) is to... 1. Direct your runners away from the SRLA Check-In area to stretch and/or discuss runner etiquette. 2. Go to the SRLA Sign-In table. 3. Sign-In by your group name (the name that is listed on your online Marathon Leader Main Page). 4. Pick-up the specialized SRLA running bibs and safety pins for your group. SRLA bibs are allocated in a number sequence in order to help SRLA personnel provide additional safety and race management benefits to all runners participating in the event. The bibs will be placed in an envelope with the name of your group on it. An SRLA representative will give you the envelope after you sign-in. Please note: It is a good idea to provide your own safety pins. Although the event organizers usually provide safety pins, there is no guarantee that they will be available when you arrive. 5. Distribute the bibs to the pre-registered participants of your group. 6. Place the unused SRLA bibs (including your no-shows) in the envelope of your group and return the envelope to the SRLA Sign-In table prior to race start. This helps reduce cost. 7. It is required that all runners (Leaders, Friends, students) wear a SRLA shirt at every event after the 5K. If a shirt from this year is not available, an SRLA shirt or singlet from a previous year may be worn. 8. Pick a post-run meeting place for your group. 9. Find your way to the starting line of the event. Remind your runners that unless they are able to average a 5 minute-per-mile pace, they should not be anywhere near the front of the running pack. 10. Have a great run!

Race Day/Late Registration Unrestricted Race Day/Late registration, ALTHOUGH DISCOURAGED, is available at the 5K and 10K (late-October). After that, late registration will be limited and dependent on Coordinator approval. In case you need to late register any runners, please follow these instructions after you sign-in: 1. NO BIB SWAPPING: Returned bibs reduce SRLA’s race costs. A bib given to another runner affects race results and impairs our ability to track SRLA runners’ results and emergency information. 2. MARATHON LEADERS ONLY: Go to the SRLA Late Registration table with your group’s late registration form that was printed from the group’s online roster prior to the day of the event. On this form, will be the following information for each of your late entrants: Last name, First name, SRLA ID, Gender, Age, and Emergency Phone. Please remember to sign the late registration form before presenting it at the registration table. Groups without the late registration form will be directed to a separate registration area where the process for late registering a runner will take additional steps to complete. 3. SRLA PARTICIPANTS ONLY: SRLA’s limited resources are intended to meet the needs of the active Marathon Leaders, Friends of SRLA, and Student Runners currently participating in the SRLA program. Please do not give a bib number to anybody who is not listed on your online active roster. 4. Distribute bibs to your runners. 5. Follow steps 7 - 10 as outlined above.

Running Etiquette

§ Please take time throughout the season to discuss common courtesies with the participants from your group. Encourage them to be polite, to take time to see others as human beings, not as just an object in the way. § Steps runners can take to make participating more pleasant for everyone! • Thank volunteers and police officers for their support. • Show respect to everyone. • Start the race with others the same speed as you; do not stand in the front if you are not a fast runner. • Don’t block faster runners, give them room to pass. • Carefully move to the right if you are slowing down, walking, or need to stop. • Walk in single file or in pairs, do not block the course. • Move to the edge of the road to tie your shoes or stretch. Don’t just stop! • Be careful where you spit or drop your water. Make sure you are on the outside of the running lane. • Don’t cheat!! Complete the whole course or accept a ride in. Earn the pride you feel when you finish by being honest to yourself and others about your efforts. • Cheer on other runners, a little encouragement helps a lot when you are tired. • Pick up your trash. In fact, help by picking up trash others have left behind. Let’s leave an event site cleaner than when we arrived! • Remember to treat others the way you expect to be treated! § Our Leaders, Friends, and especially our Student Runners represent SRLA. Everything we do sends a message to the community about our program. It’s up to us to have the strength of character to behave responsibly and meet the highest of standards.

SRLA Fundraising Policy SRLA recognizes that each group may want to raise funds for items not included as part of the sponsorship package outlined in the Program Guidelines on page 10, such as water and snacks for weekday and weekend practices, a pre-marathon carbo-load dinner, and post-marathon community races. Thus, each group may do its own fundraising in addition to what SRLA provides to cover these items. Recycling is a great way to make extra money, which fits in with the goals of SRLA Cares: Protecting and improving the environment. SRLA encourages each group to be creative about how they plan and carry out fundraising. In order to protect and preserve the SRLA mission and values, we respectfully request that groups abide by the following guidelines: 1. A group may not charge students and families a fee to participate in the program. 2. The SRLA Federal Tax ID number may not be used for donations provided to individual groups. 3. Individual groups may not request funds from SRLA sponsors, including corporations, foundations, and individuals. 4. No group may fundraise to cover the costs of additional students (beyond the total number assigned by SRLA) to train with the group and run the marathon. 5. If a group raises funds to create a special shirt for their individual group, this shirt may NOT be worn at SRLA events in lieu of or in addition to the SRLA training shirt or uniform.

Scholarship Program

The SRLA Scholarship Program makes available $500 scholarships to qualified graduating seniors to apply towards their post-secondary education. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Larry Rawson, Ralph L. Smith Foundation, Renee Mancuso, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, the Simon Strauss Foundation, the Sterling - Dorman Foundation, and Union Bank. Qualifying students must have participated in the most recent Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon as a member of SRLA at an eligible school, and demonstrate financial need, an academic grade point average of at least 2.0, and present an understanding of the goals and philosophy of the SRLA program. Applications require answering written questions about the student’s SRLA experience, along with written recommendations from the SRLA Leader and a school counselor, administrator, or teacher and be submitted within a strict time frame.

v The SRLA SCHOLARSHIPS are available to graduating seniors, and the funds will be paid directly to the college or university of choice. The $500 awards have helped students attend a wide variety of colleges and universities, including the University of California, the California State University, California Community Colleges, and private institutions such as Pepperdine, USC, and Stanford. Many of the students who have received these grants had not thought that college was possible before they participated in Students Run LA. These scholarships, though modest, provide critically needed funds for books, tuition and other expenses, for students with limited resources.

v Applications become available from the SRLA Office and are downloadable from the Marathon Leader page and the student site immediately following the marathon each year. In addition to completing the application before the deadline, a current high school transcript with GPA (transcripts need not be officially sealed) and a passing score on the CAHSEE are required. Students are asked to include five collated copies of the application including transcript, plus the original application and transcript (6 copies of the application total). Applications are due in the SRLA Office in April 2018. (Precise date will be published on the website.) Up to Four readers review each application, and decisions are announced in May. We WILL NOT accept scholarship applications after the published deadline.

v Due to the growing demand for scholarships, the Scholarship Program has undergone some changes. SRLA must limit the awards given in any one year based on funding availability. The scholarship readers will pay particular attention to the following: years of participation in the SRLA program, financial need, grade point average, improvement in grades while in the SRLA program, and the overall impact SRLA has had on the student as demonstrated by the essay responses. Students need to be aware that available funding cannot meet the number of applications received, so not every student will receive an award.

v Students must be enrolled in an officially sanctioned school within SRLA.

v SRLA Leaders should make their students aware of this program and encourage them to apply.

Weekly Training Schedule WEEK WEEKDAY RUNS WEEKLY LONG RUNS ALT. Run/WALK TIMES (Minutes) 1 (Sept) 30 min./1-3 miles 2 miles Run = 3-5/Walk = 1-2 2 (Sept) 30 min./1-3 miles 3 miles Run = 3-5/Walk = 1-2 3 (Sept) 45 min./2-4 miles 5K Race Run = 3-5/Walk = 1-2 4 (Sept) 45 min./2-4 miles 5 miles Run = 3-5/Walk = 1-2 5 (Oct) 45 min./2-4 miles 6 miles Run = 3-5/Walk = 1-2 6 (Oct) 45 min./3-5 miles 6 miles Run = 5-8/Walk = 1-2 7 (Oct) 50 min./3-5 miles 7 miles Run = 5-8/Walk = 1-2 8 (Oct) 50 min./3-5 miles 10K Race Run = 5-8/Walk = 1-2 9 (Nov) 50 min./4-6 miles 8 miles Run = 8-10/Walk = 1-2 10 (Nov) 60 min./4-6 miles 9 miles Run = 8-10/Walk = 1-2

11 (Nov) 60 min./4-6 miles 15K Race Run = 8-10/Walk = 1-2 12 (Nov) 60 min./4-6 miles 10 miles Run = 10-12/Walk = 1-2

13 (Dec) 60 min./4-7 miles 12 miles Run = 10-12/Walk = 1-2 14 (Dec) 60 min./4-7 miles Half Marathon Run = 10-12/Walk = 1-2 15 (Dec) 60 min./4-7 miles 10 miles Run = 12-14/Walk = 1-2 16 (Dec) 60 min./4-7 miles 10 miles Run = 12-14/Walk = 1-2 17 (Dec) 60 min./4-8 miles 12 miles Run = 12-14/Walk = 1-2 18 (Jan) 60 min./4-8 miles 12 miles Run = 12-14/Walk = 1-2 19 (Jan) 60 min./4-8 miles 10 miles Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 20 (Jan) 60 min./4-8 miles Half Marathon Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 21 (Jan) 60 min./4-8 miles 16 miles Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 22 (Feb) 60 min./4-8 miles 8 miles Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 23 (Feb) 60 min./4-8 miles 18-mile Race Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 24 (Feb) 60 min./4-8 miles 9 miles Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 25 (Feb) 60 min./4-8 miles 16-20 miles Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 (no more than 4 hours) 26 (Mar) 60 min./4-8 miles 12 miles Run = 15/Walk = 1-2 27 (Mar) 45 min./3-5 miles 6 miles Run = 10/Walk = 1-2 28 (Mar) 45 min./2-4 miles Marathon Run = 5-10/Walk = 1-2

Training Guide

The preceding 28-week training guide forms the basis of the SRLA program. For some it may be helpful to break the seven-month season into three smaller phases. Doing so can help keep students from becoming overwhelmed, allows for more practice setting short term goals as part of reaching a larger, more ambitious objective, and lets kids celebrate lots of milestones along the way. The suggested breakdown and rationale is provided below. It is offered as a suggestion and can be used and adapted as you see fit.

1. Building Confidence – Weeks 1 through 8

Up to a 10K - Phase 1, which we call “Building Confidence”, takes students from not being able to run a mile (or just barely being able to do so) to completing a 6.2-mile race (called a 10K). At your initial meeting, you will want to have both a short- and long-term focus. You will want to explain to the students that your ultimate goal – completing the marathon – is seven months (and a lot of hard work) away. You will also want to show them that you are going to break the big goal into lots of smaller goals that are easily achievable for those that commit to the program. Tell them that Phase 1 has two “headline” events, the SRLA kick-off and 5K run (week 5), and a 10K community race (week 8). Set your practice schedule for the first eight weeks and tell them the day, time, and place to show up, laced up and ready to run.

WEEKDAY PRACTICES The building blocks of the SRLA program are the weekday practices that take place before or after school. These gatherings not only provide time for the core training that gets the students ready for the marathon (and all the races leading up to it), but also create a sense of belonging and community. This allows the relationships to form amongst the students, as well as between students and the Leaders that become one of the most powerful components of the program. Practices, which happen 3-4 times per week, and typically last about 60 - 90 minutes, consist of:

- Dynamic Stretching/Warm up - Running Drills or Demonstrations - Group Run - Cool-down (Walk/ Stretching or Strength Work)

The practice sessions also provide time for a team meeting, during which you can take care of “housekeeping” issues such as forms that need to be filled out, calendar announcements, etc. Throughout the season, students should be encouraged to “read” their bodies and use good judgment about how hard to push themselves. For example, students should not run if they are limping, sick, or if the weather is too extreme. Practice sessions also give group Leaders a chance to observe their runners and catch any problems early so that injuries are prevented and attitudes stay positive. It is often during these gatherings that students ask questions and seek advice about other health and lifestyle issues. The emerging relationship with a caring adult is a powerful and unique experience for most of these students. Create a plan for how the group will implement pacing, and explain to the students about consistency and the differences between sprinting and distance running. Remind students that even though the distances are short at first it is important to utilize pacing strategies because the goal is the marathon.

2. Building Endurance – Weeks 9 through 23

10K – 18-miles - While this phase is the seasons longest, it is in many ways easier than the early weeks when everyone is truly discovering what they are made of and whether this program is for them. Once your students have run a “10K”, most of them will be hooked. Although completing the 5k is a thrill because it will be their first race, the 10K provides an even more powerful experience because it is just that much harder. As such, week 9 arrives with the students poised on a threshold and it is time to cement their commitment to the program and begin building the endurance they are going to need to make it to the finish line on Marathon Day. This is the part of the season where students are tested in body, mind, and spirit to take their training and their commitment to the next level. Phase 2 is going to take you and your runners from Week 9 to within five weeks of the Big Day (the marathon). A glance at the Weekly Training Guide reveals that your long run will grow by 12 miles during this time (from 8 miles to 18 miles). But don’t worry. As always with the SRLA model, the progress is gradual and the training is slow and steady. Many runners will want to adopt the “run/walk” method suggested by SRLA and developed by running guru, Jeff Galloway. The training guide suggests a formula of running and walking that can help significantly as the miles get long. HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF PHASE 2 FROM A TRAINING PERSPECTIVE:

• By week 10 you will be running 60 minutes with your students during weekday practices, however, once you hit that mark, the length of weekday practices stays steady until the end of the season. And although you will be asking them to jog more and walk less as the week’s progress, they will appreciate knowing that they’ve hit an important plateau.

• The biggest change during this period will be the length of the longer weekend runs, be they organized races or more informal group runs. The “weekly long runs,” as they are called in the Weekly Training Guide, do grow from 8 to 18 miles, but they don’t do so in a straight line. In other words, they build toward “headline” events, namely big community races, and then slack off and slow down a bit immediately following one of these big events.

• It is helpful to break this longer phase of the season down into smaller, more manageable pieces with your group, focusing them one-at-a-time on the upcoming “headline” event. For example, around Week 14, you are going to be running a Half-Marathon. This month-plus period between the 10K and this 13-mile race should be viewed as a mini-season unto itself.

• Kids will need to learn more about pacing themselves during this time, listening to cues from their body that might indicate that any strain or stress needs to be addressed.

• They will need to stretch more, and understand about proper hydration, nutrition, and the need for adequate sleep. Blisters, sore muscles and aches – and even more serious injuries – are part of marathon training and this is likely when they will show up with a vengeance. Make sure your students are talking to you about how they feel, and not ignoring or downplaying any physical discomfort.

• Proper equipment (especially shoes) will become more and more important during this time and you will want to make sure that they have what they need to participate safely.

• To borrow an old term, Phase 2 “separates the men from the boys.” In other words, this is the part of the season when the going gets tough and when some students may find that they cannot continue © Students Run America 2017 Last Update: August 18, 2017 27

given the dramatic increase in physical – and mental – stamina that is required. Do not see this as a failure on their part or yours! There is a reason only 1/10th of 1% of the US population has run a marathon – it is hard. Encourage these students to maintain their fitness and training, and invite them to return next year when they will be building from a stronger base. You may also want them to continue training with the group for the shorter weekday practices. A WORD ABOUT WEEKEND RUNS

The big advantage of the weekend runs is that they last longer than the weekday practices. This allows teams to get in more training time. It also supports the social aspect of the program, as time pressures are not as great and students get used to spending more of their “down time” together. Weekend runs have the additional benefit of allowing parents and siblings to come out, either as sideline fans, volunteers, or even, as participants. Most weeks, the weekend runs are structured as longer versions of the weekday practice. Other weeks, they will consist of the all-important community races (such as a local 5K or 10K race) that you have built into your calendar. Prior to the marathon, students will participate in a half- dozen community events. These community events are very important in establishing mileage targets, maintaining students’ interest, and providing motivation and rewards (most events include t-shirts and some even provide completion medals to finishers). The weekend events also provide a larger social outlet that serves as a bonding opportunity for the students. Finally, the events give students a chance to be recognized for what they are accomplishing. When they hear their name read over the PA system, or when they wear their race t-shirt to school the Monday after a weekend race, they get the thrill of being noticed by peers, teachers, and parents for something positive. In addition to motivating the students to keep working towards their goal of finishing a marathon, community runs offer a chance for positive interaction between students and members of the local running community. This interaction works both ways: students see health-conscious, upwardly mobile adults involved in the same pursuit as they, and the adults see local teens working hard and involved in something positive. 3. Building Excitement – Weeks 23 through 28 18-miles – 26.2-miles - By the time you get to Phase 3, the hard part is over and you have only one more, big hurdle to cross! But it’s the very one that you’ve been dreaming about crossing since Day 1. . . that is, Marathon Day! The biggest focus during the final weeks and days and hours before the marathon needs to be on two things – rest and excitement. The longest miles of training are behind you and the brass ring is being shined and made ready so you and your students can grab it at the finish line on the big day. It is paramount that the students do not over-train during this time, even though they will be used to running much farther than the distances indicated in the Training Schedule. Promise them that you’re following a proven schedule that has helped thousands of young people just like them successfully complete the entire 26.2-mile race. (Then again, you may not have any trouble at all convincing them to run less and rest more in the days before the race.) A bit like counting down the days until a birthday or special holiday, students will be eagerly anticipating the event they have been so long thinking about. You will want to harness that enthusiasm and keep them focused on the final preparation that will need to take place before the race.

Form Descriptions (Download Forms from Marathon Leader Main Page)

Below is a description of the SRLA forms and information about how and why we use them. All of these forms are also available for download from the Marathon Leader main page.

1. MARATHON LEADER FORM: This form is to obtain information about each Marathon Leader and verify employment. This information is used as a back up to the online roster. Must be submitted attached to Form #2. REQUIRED (Deadline Friday, September 29)

2. MARATHON LEADER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND WAIVER: This is a general liability form and covers all expectations and responsibilities of a Marathon Leader. Must be submitted attached to Form #1. REQUIRED (Deadline Friday, September 29)

3. FRIEND OF SRLA FORM: This form is used to enroll additional adults who wish to help out a particular SRLA team. This form is to obtain information on the individual and verify employment. Must be submitted attached to form #4. REQUIRED (Deadline Friday, September 29)

4. FRIEND OF SRLA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND WAIVER: This form describes the conditions and benefits of being a Friend of SRLA, as well as providing SRLA a comprehensive liability release for participation in the program. Must be submitted attached to Form #3. REQUIRED (Deadline Friday, September 29)

5. PHYSICAL SCREENING FORM: Every student MUST have a physical screening by a medical doctor in order to participate in SRLA, and provide a copy of the physical screening form, filled out by the doctor, clearing the student to participate, to the SRLA office. The attached form includes parental permission for the examination, general health indicators required for participation in school sports, a final assessment by the doctor regarding whether the screening exam was successful or whether further evaluation is needed, and the doctor’s signature, exam date, and stamp. Must be submitted attached to Form #6. REQUIRED (Deadline Wednesday, October 18)

6. PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND WAIVER: This form is signed by the parents agreeing to allow their student(s) to participate in the SRLA program. This form waves the rights of the student’s family to claim damages as a result of participating in SRLA, and allows the Marathon Leaders to register the students for races. This informs the SRLA students’ parents about the requirements that their children must fulfill in order to participate in the SRLA program. In particular, SRLA uses this form to reinforce the central role the Marathon Leader plays in training and making decisions about the students. Must be submitted attached to form #5. REQUIRED (Deadline Wednesday, October 18)

7. TRIP SLIP: This form is to be filled out by each participating students’ parent or guardian. The form includes emergency contact phone numbers for the students, as well as parental authorization for the Marathon Leader to provide medical care for their student(s). Marathon Leaders must have these forms with them at all times when they are training with their students, but especially when they travel with their students to community races or other off-campus events. REQUIRED (Marathon Leader keeps on file, and brings to training runs and events)

8. STUDENT INFORMATION FORM: The Marathon Leader uses this form to collect the necessary information on each of her/his students. The Leader can then transfer the information onto their personal group roster within the SRLA website, to keep track of the team and to register them into the races and events. RECOMMENDED

9. EVENT REGISTRATION FORM: This form can be used at organizational meetings to confirm, which runners will be participating in a particular event. Students provide some basic information and then sign the form as a commitment to participate. The Leader can then use this as a guide when registering students for an event. RECOMMENDED

SRLA Cares

The SRLA Cares component was developed with the intent to increase the awareness and involvement of our young runners in various critical SOCIAL and ENVIRONMENTAL causes. Each running event gives an opportunity for every group to take part in a specific drive. The design of every SRLA Cares project comes with a great deal of flexibility and can easily be delegated to one or a few of a group’s runners. We know that participation is having a positive impact on those that take part and hope that your program will take the time to make a difference.

Contact Harry Shabazian at [email protected] for more details!

Every Penny Counts for Cerebral Palsy and Ataxia (at least 100 pennies per participant) SRLA Kick-off 5K Sunday, September 24, 2017 Dockweiler State Beach

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (at least 1 pound of CRUSHED plastic bottles and/or aluminum cans per participant) SRLA Castaic 10K Saturday, October 28, 2017 Lake Castaic Recreation, Castaic

Yes… we CAN! (at least 1 can of food per participant) SRLA Arroyo 15K Saturday, November 18, 2017 Oak Grove Park, South Pasadena

Bring Joy with a Toy (at least 1 NEW active toy, appropriate for 8 – 11 year old, per group) Holiday Half Marathon Sunday, December 10, 2017 Pomona

Give a Shirt! (at least 1 used, clean t-shirt per participant) Pasadena Half Marathon at the Rose Sunday, January 21, 2018 Pasadena Bowl

Pasta to Make a Difference (at least 1 box of pasta per participant) 18-mile Friendship Run Sunday, February 11, 2018 Hansen Dam, Sylmar

Group Community Project (Satisfy service learning requirements with a community service project) Skechers Performance Los Angeles Sunday, March 18, 2018 Los Angeles Marathon

In it for the long run . . . 26.2 miles!

Sara SRLA has turned me into the type of person who will finish what at Chatsworth I start. High School Monica If it wasn’t for the challenging program of SRLA, I would have at Amino Pat Brown probably continued to view school negatively and not be willing Charter High School to graduate high school. Luis In running, achieving the desired results takes time and effort. at Garfield Likewise, although a college education seems like a long journey, High School the final result is a great accomplishment.

Gladys If I am capable of running a marathon, then there is no excuse for at Fremont me not attending a university. High School

Marisol SRLA showed me the importance of living a healthy life; a life at Sun Valley with healthy eating and exercise can help me live longer. High School

Cindy Running is my escape now, my stress reliever that is helping me in at Polytechnic every single way, both physically and mentally. High School

Javier SRLA provided me the opportunity to be a part of something at Dr. Mohan greater than myself. High School Kevin I was really grateful for SRLA. They provided me with the at Ollin University opportunity to live a healthier life, push the limits of my body, Prep High School and feel proud in setting and accomplishing goals.

Kimberly Now, that I know it was possible to run 26.2 miles, I know I am at Animo Pat Brown unstoppable and I can do anything. High School Melva I am deeply thankful for my leader because he always encouraged at Animo Pat Brown me to keep on going even at those days where I did not believe I Charter High School was going to be able to make it. Sydney The medal is something more to me than a physical object. It is at Banning proof that I won another battle. It’s another way of saying that I High School want to live my life healthy and take big risks.

Ricky I knew that 26.2 miles was no easy task but SRLA taught me that at Leuzinger with hope and hard work, anything is possible. High School