Los Angeles – They have crossed pain and pain, fighting diseases and injuries as their bodies have aged. Some now use wheelchairs, including the oldest 87 years old.
In spite of everything, the inherited corridors of the Los Angeles Marathon have attached to their mission: to finish the race.
On Sunday, the 92 marathons group, including 10 women, marked its 40th Los Angeles Marathon, participating in the 26.2 miles race (42.2 kilometers) every year since the iconic city event began in 1986.
“We are inherited runners, we simply do not know when to quit smoking,” said Lou Briones, 77.
Briones has even finished the race with crutches after surgery. Since both knees were replaced, the race walks.
“You have to do it,” Briones said. “No matter what the conditions are, you must be there in the starting line on the day of the race.”
When Briones and others gathered in the departure line for the first Los Angeles marathon, President Ronald Reagan had just been re -elected and a few weeks before, the challenger of the space ferry exploded, surprising the country. Tom Bradley served as the first black mayor of Los Angeles and the city was dealing with the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Los Angeles was inspired to begin their own marathon after the success of organizing the summer Olympic Games of 1984, as well as the beginning of the Boston Marathon In 1897, after the first marathon competition, it was held at the summer Olympic Games of 1896. Los Angeles is now Preparing for the host His next Olympic Games in 2028.
Five years after the Los Angeles marathon began, the organizers of the event began to recognize the runners who had completed each race with a plaque. They continued to celebrate celebrations for the dedicated runners every five years.
Around 15, Briones decided that he wanted to formalize the group. He and a friend printed stickers with an email address and took them to the marathon in 2002.
“We went to the race and we started screaming,” Briones said. “We would hit it directly in their bib, and then, after the race, most of them immediately sent an email. That was the beginning. “
Some inherited corridors said they were inspired by the American corridor Joan Benoitwhich won the first Olympic female marathon at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
May Dubois, 80, remember to have seen the race on television and have seen Benoit end up far ahead of the rest of the pack of runners. A classic pianist had never run in his life.
Two years later, Dubois ran the same path as Benoit, starting and ending in the Coliseum Memorial, since then, the Los Angeles Marathon Route was the same as the Olympic Games. She said she felt “how to run at the Olympic Games with everyone encouraging us.”
Now, you can’t imagine going one day without running 3 to 5 miles (4.8 to 8 km).
“I’m healthy, I look good and I don’t get tired. I never get sick, I don’t even see colds, “said Dubois, who houses a brunch to celebrate after each marathon.
Every year, inherited runners receive the same bib number. They begin to meet monthly to train about six months before the marathon.
Cliff Housego, 76, began running after his father died at age 48 for a heart attack. He decided that he wanted to live enough to see his grandchildren and even great -grandchildren.
Over the years, Housego has gone through two divorces and has lost his daughter. In spite of everything, the marathon has been a constant in his life.
“Many, many things could have prevented me from being there,” said Housego.
At 83, Sharon Kerson also realizes that.
After a year of dealing with the disease and vertigo, Kerson completed his training last week at the West Los Angeles College Track, the same place where he started running more than 40 years ago. She has run more than 600 marathons.
He wore a rain jacket from St. George in Utah, San Francisco marathon shorts and a 30th Los Angeles marathon shirt.
“I was never fast and I am not competitive at all,” Kerson said, adding that his only goal is to finish.
Rick Bingham began running in a wheelchair a decade after hurting his Achilles tendon during a triathlon. At 87, nothing half mile (0.8 kilometer) every two days and lifts weights. To train, it was 5 miles (8 kilometers) one day around its ranch in a wheelchair.
Bingham has no plans to reduce speed. He wants to reach his 50th Los Angeles Marathon.
“I will only be 97 when I do that,” he said.
Bingham’s commitment to remain in the race has inspired Luis Gallardo to continue.
Gallardo, 71, planned to quit smoking after his marathon number 38, when the knees gave up. But he started training again when Bingham offered him his extra racing wheelchair.
“We go through too many things over the years, too many difficulties,” Gallardo said. “To do it with him is just a blessing.”
Gallardo’s goal is now to reach the 50th Los Angeles Marathon with Bingham.
After that, he said, you will find a way to finish the race with your friend, even carrying it through the finish line if necessary.
