Kaiser Permanente Encourages Local Community to Stay Healthy and Thrive at the Santa Clarita Marathon and Final Mile Challenge

 The 2015 Final Mile Challenge concluded on Sunday, November 8 when more than 1,600 students from five Santa Clarita schools ran the last mile of their 26.2 mile goal at the Santa Clarita Marathon. Kaiser Permanente is a strong supporter of the Santa Clarita Marathon, where more than 100 physicians and staff participated in the race – from volunteering to actively running the marathon and half marathon. Kaiser Permanente also sponsored the Final Mile Challenge.
The Final Mile Challenge, presented by Kaiser Permanente, encouraged students to set a goal, make it happen and finish what they started. While training to run the final mile, the program encouraged students to exercise and form healthy eating habits. Dr. Chris Raigosa, a Santa Clarita resident who ran the half marathon and also the Physician Wellness Lead at Kaiser Permanente – welcomed all students and kicked off the race. Dr. Angeline Ong, Kaiser Permanente Wellness Champion and Family Medicine Doctor also drafted race day tips for all of the students, which posted on the Santa Clarita Marathon blog and Facebook page.
During the first months of school, students must complete all 25 training miles before being invited to run the final mile of the Santa Clarita Marathon. Upon completion of the 25 miles, students receive a Final Mile Challenge t-shirt to wear on race day and as they cross the official Santa Clarita Marathon finish line, they are awarded a Final Mile Challenge finisher’s medal.
Leading up to the race, several schools hosted program rallies where doctors from Kaiser Permanente gave presentations about the program, training for the run and also taught students about the importance of making healthy choices.