Setting a new PAL record for the Los Angeles Marathon, Jade Furukawa came in at 4 hours and 50 minutes
It’s been said to runners, “Don’t just chase your dreams. Run them down!” For eight Santa Monica PAL youth, they ran their dreams down to reality when they participated and completed The 38th Annual Los Angeles Marathon from the Stadium to the Stars course on March 19.
Santa Monica PAL runners that participated in the Los Angeles Marathon included Snow Hansen, PAL parent-volunteer and trainer, and PAL youth Breauna Curry, Aylin Cruz, Rosa Cruz, Jade Furukawa, Emily Gutierrez, Tia Hansen, Jesse Morales and Chris Naelgas. Jade Furukawa came in at 4 hours and 50 minutes, setting a new PAL record as the fastest female runner in the LA Marathon.
“We are so proud of the PAL youth that ran in the marathon. It’s quite a physical and emotional achievement and the kids exceeded all their expectations,” says Eula Fritz, Director at Santa Monica Police Activities League. “We appreciate Snow for the leadership in training the runners and getting them prepared and congratulate Jade for setting a new PAL record.”
The Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS welcomed 22,000 participants for the race as runners completed the 26.2-miles. At each mile along the way, runners passed internationally renowned iconic landmarks including Chinatown, the El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park, Los Angeles CityHall, Little Tokyo, the Disney Hall and Music Center of Los Angeles County, the DolbyTheater – home of the Academy Awards in Hollywood, parts of Historic Route 66 in West Hollywood, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and out and back on San Vicente Boulevard before finishing on Santa Monica Blvd in Century City.
Santa Monica PAL is staffed by the City of Santa Monica and dedicated to providing free afterschool programming for youth ages 6 -17. PAL has a non-profit Board of Directors who fundraise to sustain PAL’s dynamic educational, fitness, leadership and recreational programming. PAL’s myriad of programs enriches lives, advances equity, empowers youth to thrive, and bridges the gap between youth of color and law enforcement. PAL’s mentoring and enrichment programs are specifically targeted to break down the stigmas, fear and high levels of distrust of police. Santa Monica PAL is located at 1401 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404. For more information, call 310-458-8988 or visit smpal.org.
