SCTC-Home      Home    Pace Chart | Board of Directors | Documents | Donate | Contact Us 


 

 
Team 2014 Completes LA Marathon XXIX!
Santa Monica,  Sunday March 9th 

 

Team 2015 Roster Click Here!


 

 
An Official Featured Charity of the 2015 ASICS LA Marathon!



 
Voted LA Marathon's Most Outstanding New Charity for 2014!
2014 Special Recognition - County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich!
2012 LA County Board of Supervisors Award Winner!
2012 Nominee CA Governors Award for Physical Fitness!
2011 Special Recognition - Congressman Buck McKeon!
 
 
 
 

Watch the 2014 Team Video Click Here!

Watch the 2014 Bonus Reel Click Here!

                                                                  

March 9, 2014

Students SOAR to New Heights at LA Marathon XXIX!


Nineteen William S Hart students successfully completed the 29th running of the Los Angeles Marathon Sunday March 9th amidst an international field of  more than 25,000 participants.  Sponsored by Students Off And Running (SOAR), a division of the Santa Clarita Track Club, this program dedicates itself to offering Santa Clarita Valley youth the opportunity to participate in a fully supported, 24 week 380 mile marathon training program while challenging themselves to accomplish something truly extraordinary in a non-competitive arena.

Head Coach and program Director Kevin Sarkissian shared his thoughts after safely bringing in his last student runner Sunday: "We couldn't be more proud of the level of determination our students showed today.   Just committing to the SOAR program is tough enough considering all these kids have going on at home and in school.  Couple that with a long, tough training season, and you really get an understanding why today gives collective testament to their inner strength. It’s not often that you see the average teenager getting out of bed at 2am to run 26.2 miles, it just doesn't happen," Sarkissian commented. 

Less than 1% of Americans ever complete a full marathon. SOAR is not about recruiting seasoned Valley high school athletes, the program looks for any kid with heart, kids that are willing to commit to a truly life changing experience.

“The real power behind SOAR’s success is the consistency and commitment demonstrated by everyone tied to the program .   Parents, coaches, and community supporters alike pledge to be there mile for mile with each and every student, regardless of  ability or personal conflict. This commitment  remains absolute from day one until our final runner crosses the finish line safely on marathon day,” said Sarkissian.

Now celebrating its seventh  year of success, the results continue to impress with the program reporting an astounding 100% marathon completion rate for all SOAR participants since the program began in 2007. In addition, parents, teachers, and students alike report better focus in school, increased positive social interaction, and dramatic improvement in overall physical health.

Persons interested in supporting or participating in the program should visit www.soar-sc.org or contact Kevin Sarkissian at 661-877-7024 for more information.  

 

 

 The Road Less Traveled

"Coach, I don't know if I can make it."  She said it plainly as her eyes welled with tears.

It was Mile 22, and 16 year old Priscilla had just "hit the wall", a term used by long distance runners to describe a complete and utter meltdown of mind, body, and spirit.  As I assessed her condition, trying to find words of encouragement, I reflected on the day's events. Priscilla was having a tough day.  Blistered by Mile 6 and  bandaged by Mile 10, Priscilla had become dehydrated and  listless by Mile 19, and now at 22,  more than 6 hours into the race, she stood at the edge of the abyss, dangerously close to heat exhaustion.

"Listen kid, I believe in you.  This is just another race, and you and I are going to finish this one together. We're almost home. You own this thing. Don't let it beat you." 

She hung her head for a moment, then met my gaze and managed a smile. And in that moment, I knew that she had dug deep, and found the strength and  inner courage to achieve the impossible.

Priscilla finished the LA Marathon on Sunday in 7 hours 22 minutes and 5 seconds, forever changed, and you, my friends, were with us every step of the way. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Of the 25,000 or so official registrants, just over 17,000 would complete the full 26.2 . The winner would cross the line in just under 2 hours 14 minutes, receive a check for $100,000 dollars, and drive home in a new car.

 As for me, I'll keep my 7:22, the memories of one kid's courage, and a smile shared at 22. 

 

Yours for the long run,

Coach Sarkissian

 

SOAR Mardi Gras Madness 5K/10K
Mini Madness 1K
Sunday, February 22, 2015

Registration Now Open!

 

2015 Students Off And Running (SOAR)

Mission

Santa Clarita Track Club's Students Off And Running (SOAR) helps youth at risk living in Santa Clarita build life skills and establish healthy relationships with peers and adults through training for and competing in a Marathon.

Vision

Santa Clarita Track Club's Students Off And Running (SOAR) aspires to be an after school program available to all schools throughout the Santa Clarita Valley that uses the vehicle of marathon training to empower students and provide them with tools for a healthy and constructive future.

Goals

The ultimate goal of SOAR is for students to participate in a truly life changing event: running a marathon. Beyond achieving a fitness challenge few can aspire to, students walk away from the program with a lifetime of lessons. In addition to increasing physical fitness and activity, students gain knowledge about health and nutrition, see alternatives to risky behavior, increase self-esteem, build resiliency to current and future obstacles, learn how to set and achieve goals, and develop positive peer and adult relationships. Students also gain the potential to translate their remarkable accomplishment into improved school performance and academic success. Seeing the fruits of their hard work upon crossing the finish line will provide SOAR students with the confidence they need to succeed both in and outside the classroom.

Objectives

SOAR establishes running groups at participating schools and implements a seven month training program.  Each running group operates under the guidance of volunteer adult Coaches who role model commitment and perseverance by training mile for mile with student participants in preparation for the marathon.  Coaches may be teachers, school staff or community members and need not have prior running experience. Running groups maintain a 6:1 student-Coach ratio allowing for valuable one-on-one adult-student interaction. Weekly goals are set in a non-competitive environment that stresses endurance building as opposed to speed.  Starting with one mile the first week participants gradually run additional miles each week until they are prepared to take on the 26.2 mile course. During training, Coaches emphasize messages about nutrition, exercise, conditioning, injury prevention and general well-being.  Coaches also use this time to mentor students and create a supportive environment where students can talk about personal, family and academic challenges and develop the confidence to apply themselves and overcome those challenges.

Email List

Join Our Email List
Email:
 

Training Progress

Week 1       Week 2        Week 3  
Week 4        Week 5        Week 6

Week 7        Week 8       Week 9 Week 10     Week 11      Week 12
Week 13     Week 14      Week 15
Week 16     Week 17     Week 18
Week 19     Week 20     Week 21
Week 22    
 

   Final Team Stats 2014/2015

2014/2015 Team Info
Team Roster 2014
Coach Contact Information
Coaches / Race Promoters Only
SOAR Blog

2014/15 Event Schedule

2014/2015 Master Event Schedule
LA Cancer Challenge 5K, Oct 26th
Say No To Drugs 5K,  Nov 15th 
Santa Monica Venice 10K, Dec 6th
SOAR Jingle Bell 10 Run, Dec 13th
So Cal Half Marathon, Jan 10th 
SRLA Friendship 18 Miler, Feb 8th
Mardi Gras Madness 5K, Feb 22nd
SOAR 20 and Team BBQ, Feb 28th
LA Marathon XXX March 15th

Down & Dirty Mud Run - TBD

2014/2015 Event Results

LA Cancer Challenge 5K, Oct 26th
Say No To Drugs 5K,  Nov 15th 
Santa Monica Venice 10K, Dec 6th
So Cal Half Marathon, Jan 10th 
SRLA Friendship 18 Miler, Feb 8th
SOAR 20 and Team BBQ, Feb 28th

LA Marathon XXX, March 15th

2014/2015 Event Info

AOC Info Meeting
Hart High Info Meeting
Golden Valley High Info Meeting

Training Calendars

October 2014
November 2014
December 2014
January 2015

February 2015
March 2015
Master Training Schedule 14/15

2015 Marathon Info

LA Marathon Trip Slip 2014
Info for Families and Participants  Marathon Tips for First Timers!
LA Marathon Team Itinerary!
MapQuest To Dodger Stadium
MapQuest to Finish Area
 Marathon XXIX Course Map

Projected Student Splits 2014
Event / Race Instructions
Student Tracking Race Day!

Post Season Events

D & D Mud Run Reg Form
D & D Race Info - SOAR 5K #1
Mud Run Tips!

Nutrition and Training

Performance 101
Nutrition for Distance Running
PowerBar Product and Performance Datasheet
Team Recipes
Vitamin Chart
Mineral Chart
SOAR's Nutrition Powerpoint
Choose My Plate Nutrition Site

Nutrition Data Site SOAR's Dynamic Stretching Exercises

Press Releases

November 11, 2009
December 7, 2009
January 10, 2010
March 21, 2010
February 16, 2011
March 16, 2011
March 20, 2011
July 20, 2011
Mardi Gras Madness PSA

2014 Waivers / Trip Slips

Parent Understanding
Participant Waiver
Team Physical
Team Permission Slip

Archive

2007/2008 SOAR
2008/2009 SOAR

2009/2010 SOAR
2010/2011 SOAR
2011/2012 SOAR
2012/2013 SOAR
2013/2014 SOAR


DONATE to SOAR


 

 

Countdown Clock

 

 

 


 

 VISIT TEAM 2014's SPONSORS!







 


Hit Counter

Santa Clarita Track Club, Inc, 27900 Youngberry Dr, Santa Clarita, CA 91350-1756 Copyright © 2007 sctc-storm.org All web site design, text, graphics, and contents therein are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Any use of materials on this web site-including reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication-without the prior written permission is strictly prohibited. The Santa Clarita Track Club reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. Typos on this or any page on this site are intentional for people who look for such things.  Legal Disclaimer  Please note that all results posted on this website are for information only, and are not official until ratified by the Valley Youth conference. They are subject to change as we review them. Santa Clarita Track Club, Inc. Program include: Youth Track and Field, Youth Cross Country, Students Off And Running, SOAR, Located in the Santa Clarita Valley. .Please help by reporting any result that appears to be in error to Alan Bingham  Refund policy