Celebrating the dedication and determination of two ISANA educators who crossed the finish line at the Los Angeles Marathon.

Celebrating the dedication and determination of two ISANA educators who crossed the finish line at the Los Angeles Marathon. Yesterday, thousands of incredible runners came together to take 26.2 miles across Los Angeles during the iconic Los Angeles Marathon. Even under the heat, runners pushed forward with determination and heart. For some, it was their very first marathon; for others, it has become a yearly tradition. No matter their reason for running, every participant shared the same goal, reaching the finish line!March 8, 2026, marked the 41st anniversary of the marathon. Runners followed the famous “Stadium to the Stars” course, beginning at Dodger Stadium and finishing on Avenue of the Stars. Known as one of the largest and most well-known marathons in the United States, the event brings together athletes and communities from across the region.This year, we are proud to celebrate two members of our ISANA family who completed the race: Ms. Garcia and Mr. Kraus!_________________________________________________________________________________________________Ms. Garcia – 7 Marathons and Counting!Ms. Garcia, a 1st grade teacher at ISANA Himalia Academy, just completed her 7th marathon.Her running journey began in high school through Students Run LA (SRLA), an incredible program that trains students to run the Los Angeles Marathon. She originally joined to challenge herself and prove that she could do hard things, and she has continued doing just that ever since.Ms. Garcia ran her first marathons in 2014 and 2015, took a break during her college years, and returned to running in 2023. Since then, she has been training with the all-women’s run club GGC Running and building an impressive list of races, including:Los Angeles Marathon 2024Chicago Marathon 2024Los Angeles Marathon 2025Long Beach Marathon 2025Los Angeles Marathon 2026“It’s been a thrill to physically and mentally push myself to run these long distances and prove to myself that I can do hard things.”For Ms. Garcia, running is not only a personal challenge, it’s also a way to support meaningful causes. During the Chicago Marathon, she fundraised Erika’s Lighthouse, an organization that promotes mental health awareness programs in high schools.She shared her gratitude for the Himalia staff who supported her fundraising efforts.Next up, Ms. Garcia is preparing for the New York City Marathon in November 2026, where she will be running with Team for Kids, an organization that supports fitness programs for students. She shared that she is thrilled to be running for a cause again. If you would like to support her efforts, please consider donating here._________________________________________________________________________________________________Mr. Kraus – First Marathon!Mr. Kraus, a 7th and 8th grade teacher at ISANA Palmati Academy, completed the Los Angeles Marathon 2026 as his very first marathon.Growing up, he was very active in sports, especially soccer and football. As injuries became more frequent, he stepped away from competitive sports and eventually discovered running as a new outlet. What started as a way to stay active soon became a new challenge, and running a marathon became his goal.Through dedication and training, Mr. Kraus successfully crossed the finish line of his first 26.2 miles this weekend. Congratulations to Ms. Garcia and Mr. Kraus on this incredible accomplishment!Your perseverance, determination, and commitment inspire our entire ISANA community.