Local Students Training for the L.A. Marathon and Acura L.A. Bike Tour Prove that Dedication and Commitment Pay-Off

LOS ANGELES, March 8 -- Eighty local middle and high school students from Students Run L.A. (SRLA) and Youth Educational Sports-Police Activities League (YES-PAL) gathered at Exposition Park today for a motivational rally in preparation for two of the biggest athletic events in the city -- the Los Angeles Marathon presented by Honda, and the Acura L.A. Bike Tour. Both events will be held on March 19. SRLA students received Marathon Survival Fit Kits donated by Honda, while Acura donated new bicycles and helmets to YES-PAL. The eager students immediately tried out their new gear during an impromptu practice run and mock ride in the Park.

The innovative SRLA and YES-PAL programs teach at-risk students the valuable lessons of dedication, commitment and perseverance by helping them train for and complete the L.A. Marathon and Acura L.A. Bike Tour. As a result, many students improve their attitudes, behavior and academic commitment. In fact, the high school graduation rate for members is more than 90 percent, which is 30 percent higher than the L.A. Unified School District (LAUSD).

At the motivational event, Olympic bronze medalist Rod Dixon, as well as former Olympian and U.S. Cycling Hall of Fame member John Howard applauded the dedication of these young athletes and provided them with training tips and words of encouragement.

"SRLA and YES-PAL are more than athletic programs," explained Rod Dixon, Former Olympic medalist and director of Coaching and Training, Devine, The Endurance Sports Company, which owns the L.A. Marathon. "They put the students on the road to accomplishment and on the path to success by teaching them that, by setting goals you can achieve anything."

The student bicycle recipients are selected by YES-PAL based on their significant academic perseverance, physical fitness accomplishments and commitment to responsible cycling. In addition to the Marathon Survival Fit Kits distributed at the event, every year Honda donates more than 4,000 pairs of running shoes to the 2,000-plus SRLA students.

"Honda and Acura are proud to support SRLA and YES-PAL with the resources to help kids focus on setting a positive course for their lives and accomplishing their goals," said Eric Conn, assistant vice president of National Advertising, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It's inspiring to watch these students finish the events and know that we were a part of their journey. They are truly training for success, one mile at a time."

The students participate in rigorous training before the events. In the six months leading up to the Marathon, SRLA members run more than 600 miles prior to the Marathon. By the time the Acura L.A. Bike Tour comes around, YES-PAL students have cycled on average about 100 miles in training sessions.

The City of Los Angeles Marathon provides SRLA and YES-PAL students free entry into the Los Angeles Marathon presented by Honda and the Acura L.A. Bike Tour on March 19, 2006.

Students Run L.A. (SRLA) is a physical training and mentoring program for at-risk middle and high school students. SRLA teaches these young people to set and achieve a goal by preparing them to complete The City of Los Angeles Marathon. Since SRLA's inception seventeen years ago, more than 26,000 Los Angeles area students have benefited from the program. This year more than 2,400 SRLA students will participate in the Marathon.

Through an innovative partnership between YES and the Police Activities League (PAL), YES-PAL educates students on safety, promotes academic excellence and teaches the values of commitment, dedication and discipline. In addition, through its affiliation with PAL, the program creates after-school programs with police officers as mentors. LAUSD School Safe Traffic Zone reaches up to 350,000 students annually with its bicycle safety program and recruits the more than 2,500 students into the YES School Cycling Club program. More than 450 YES-PAL students are expected to participate in this year's Acura L.A. Bike Tour.

Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979, with U.S. automobile manufacturing starting in 1982. Honda now employs more than 26,000 Americans in the design, manufacture and marketing of its products in America. Honda currently builds products in 12 manufacturing plants in North America, with three major R&D centers in the U.S.