Over 15 marathons are hosted in Santa Clarita each year. The Forever Brave Marathon, held in honor of Memorial Day, had over a hundred runners participate.
This is a three-mile, six and nine-mile course that lines the hiking trails of West Creek Park in Valencia.
From 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM, participants complete one or more of these courses.
“I’ve done a lot of 5 Ks. I couldn’t even count how many, I don’t know, under 10 though,” said Diana Harris, a marathon runner at the event.
“Me and my friend here have done a couple of half marathons over the year and a half. Couple 10 Ks,” said Harris.
“I’ve only been into running for about a year and a half now. I did a run with my company last January, and I just fell in love with a feeling when I get done,” said Harris.
The initial start time is the same for everyone, no matter the length of the race you decide to run.
This allows families to sit and enjoy watching the runners, but it also naturally draws attention to those who need a sign that their friends and family are watching.
“I had one of my runners, he didn’t make it onto the Valley meet, so I told him, Hey, come out, run like a fun 10 k,” said Alaya Gomez, Kern High School District Track Coach.
“During college, COVID hit, so I had like another year, and then I had a redshirt year ’cause of a heart surgery. So, um. I wind up having six years, so I’m one of the few college athletes that got six years,” said Gomez.
After participants have finished, food and snacks are dispersed along with shiny metals to encapsulate the gratification of finishing their race.
