The LAFD marathon team has 19 runners and 12 two-person relay teams scheduled to compete in the 2017 Los Angeles Marathon. The “Stadium to the Sea” marathon will be held on Sunday, March 19th. The course starts at Dodger Stadium and ends steps from the Santa Monica Pier. More than 25,000 athletes from the US and more than 60 countries will participate.
The Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund is also participating as an official charity partner. The “L.A. Fire” team has a goal of raising $35,000 for the charity.
The fire stations of each runner are being challenged to get behind their runners to help raise the most money. LAFD stations along the route are also encouraged to make and display banners supporting team members. These would be great locations to cheer runners on as they go by.
Captain Mike McIndoe is spearheading monthly group runs for our team. In addition to running the marathon, Mike recruited a significant number of participants. “I have never run a race longer than a 10K but it is such an awesome cause that I couldn’t say no. If this marathon doesn’t break me I hope to make this an annual thing for the WODFF.”
LAFRA Trustee Frank Aguirre, a Captain at 89’s, and A/C Pat Butler make up one of the 12 relay teams. LAFD family members Diane and Taylor Vigil will also make this their first two-person relay team experience.
Firefighter Scott Hambly says Captain Mike McIndoe and Chief Pat Butler have been able to help motivate him and others. He says they did a great job rallying the troops and getting everyone together. “This creates a good feeling. If you could feel that every day, that’s pretty special.”
Scott works at FS 37 in Westwood and he is definitely one to watch in this upcoming race. He’s an elite runner, roughly a 2:18 marathoner who could potentially finish in the top 10. He has more than 30 full marathons under his belt and high hopes of getting himself into the next Olympic Trials.
Another experienced marathoner on the “L.A. Fire” team is Engineer Nick Riddall. This will be his 10th L.A. Marathon. He says it’s an honor to run for the WODFF in its first year as an official charity of the event. “I’ve always thought it would be really nice to have firemen running. I know a bunch of the guys who do run. Having the Widows & Orphans do this is great because we can actually support our own cause.”
Sandra Marquez, a long-time WODFF volunteer, will run her first full marathon in honor of Willie Dunn. Sandra and Willie, a firefighter III at Air Ops and former LAFRA Trustee, were together for three years before he lost his battle with cancer in 2008. “Before he got sick, he was actually present in the last half mile of my first half marathon. He ran with me and was there cheering me on. He was there when I finished my first challenge.” She says she believes Willie’s spirit will be with her as she completes her first full marathon too.
Vanessa Bustamante never considered herself to be athletic. She never ran before 2005 – ever! She didn’t even start running until age 35 but Vanessa has now completed 15 full marathons and 33 half marathons. She’s also proven to be somewhat of a fundraising whiz. She was the first to surpass her fundraising goal of $1,000. In appreciation for her efforts she received a special prize – a fabulous hotel stay donated by the Downtown L.A. Sheraton.
Vanessa’s husband Chris Bustamante, Captain II at FS 75, contributed to her success by networking for her and reaching out to his co-workers with text messages. “It’s just about getting out there with either text messages, email, Facebook or whatever social media you have.”
Vanessa says there have been other perks to running too. “I’ve actually made a lot of good friends through running. There’s another LAFD wife, Esmerelda Reyes, who will be running her first full marathon. I ran her first half marathon with her too.”
The day before the marathon, Saturday, March 18th, the L.A. Big 5K will be held at Dodger Stadium. Everyone is encouraged to get involved as an official runner or walker, and fundraise for the cause.
The first 25 Relief Association members to raise a minimum of $650 will earn their choice of a duffle bag or water bottle. Other prizes will be given for the first few to reach $1,000. T-shirts will be available for “virtual runners” and 5K participants who reach fundraising minimum goals of $350.
By Denise Schlegel, Freelance Writer
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Help the “L.A. Fire” team by sponsoring a runner, becoming a marathon or 5k runner/walker or even a virtual runner yourself, or by simply making a donation. All contributions benefit your Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Visit GiveToAHero.org/Marathon for details and registration links.
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Marathon Runners:
Abel Gomez
Amy Goodrich
Andrew Corona
Brian Jones
Clayton Hogan
Daniela Sarmina
Esmeralda Reyes
Greg Balandran
Henry Hsieh
Kent Koffler
Michael McIndoe
Nicholas Gonzales
Nicolas Riddall
Pablo Gomez
Sandra Marquez
Scott Hambly
Shayne Garvey
Vanessa Bustamante
Warren Sutton
Two-Person Relay Teams:
Adrian Aviles & Angelica Patino
Alfred Balestra & Kevin Frank
Cheyane Caldwell & Justin Voyson
Diane & Taylor Vigil
Engel Luistro & Maggie Aviles
Jennifer Corona & Rose Franco
Logan Fields & Mamie Coleman
Lorie Juckett & Scott Edwards
Miguel & Irene Rodriguez
Patrick Butler & Frank Aguirre