National Aids Marathon Training Program
Name: Aids Project Los Angeles
Website: www.apla.org
Corporate Address: 3550 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010
Corporate Phone#: (213) 201-1600
Mission Statement: AIDS Project Los Angeles is dedicated to: improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease; reducing the incidence of HIV infection; and advocating for fair and effective HIV-related public policy.
Running Program: APLA created and manages the National Aids Marathon Training Program that operates in Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco with a few additional satellite groups that train independently in other cities.
Check out these links for more information about APLA and the National AIDS Marathon Training Program.
Review of the National Aids Marathon Training Program and APLA
Typical of most non-profit organizations that orchestrate similar events, potential runners can attend one of several information sessions prior to signing up to learn more about the training, races they can sign up for, fundraising, and plenty of additional information related to the program. Here are the current fees to sign up for the website:
Registration Fee
$95 for New Participants; $50 for AIDS Marathon Alumni
Upon registering you will be given information about training locations (of which there are several), training frequency, and the gear you need to buy prior to starting. Check out these articles for a good list of marathon gear ;most of which is mandatory per APLA’s guidelines for training with the group to ensure runner safety.
After meeting with the other trainees on day 1 of training you’ll be placed into pace groups based on your first 3 mile run. Typically runners stay with the pace group they were assigned throughout the duration of the program. With dozens or even hundreds of runners in each training location, it’s a great way to socialize with other people and make friends. Often times runners in the same group will head out for post-run brunch and BBQ’s and take full advantage of the social nature of the National Aids Marathon Training Program.
Typically the training lasts 4-5 months and is well staffed with experienced runners who provide professional level training, mentorship and guidance. Trainees are asked to bring friends or family to the Saturday runs (which are reserved for longer runs) to help pass out food and drinks at predetermined refreshment locations. All of the training routes are planned out ahead of time, making preparation much easier for the trainees who are often first time marathoners.
Choice of Marathons and Half Marathons
Each year the National Aids Marathon Training Program provides a set of races that trainees can specifically train for. The 2007 and 2008 schedule included training for the Honolulu Marathon, Florence Italy Marathon, Disneyland Half Marathon, Los Angeles Marathon, Amsterdam Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and the Chicago Half Marathon. The addition of international marathons makes the National Aids Marathon Training Program a standout in the world of non-profit running groups. In order to run those races though you typically have to fundraise quite a bit more than the other domestic races. Domestic marathon races usually require a fundraising minimum of around $2,000 with the international races requiring a little over $4,000 to qualify for and remain training with the AIDS Marathon trainers. The upside though is that your flight and hotel room will be covered by the organization if you meet the fundraising minimums (in most cases).
Highlights of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program
Simply put, the staff is amazing. With a talented and dedicated board of directors, APLA has managed to source passionate runners and philanthropists who dedicate their time and money to helping eliminate HIV/AIDS while also training people to become marathon runners and achieve their personal goals.
This extends to the coaches as well. Many of the coaches were former trainees of the marathon training program and have evolved into excellent runners who have adopted running as a lifestyle and continue to share it with others. Waking up extra early on Saturday mornings to prepare the training course, answering emails from curious trainees, and traveling with the group to each of the marathons to join their peers is just a taste of what the coaches do year after year to ensure a successful running experience.
Running in Los Angeles
The training locations are excellent to. This group of runners trained each Saturday morning throughout Santa Monica and Venice Beach in West Los Angeles. Consistently sunny, temperate and standard Southern California weather makes training in the Los Angeles locations a pleasurable experience, even if you have to wake up at 5am to prepare for the Saturday morning runs.
AIDS Project Los Angeles continues to do it right year in and year out with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. The crowd they attract is friendly and always willing to help while also being very educated about the sport of distance running. As the organization matures it can continue to benefit from great grass roots marketing in the cities that it supports while making it easy for veterans of the program to come back year after year and participate.
[...] Volunteer at races or with non-profit running organizations such as Aids Project Los Angeles, Team in Training, and so on. In this case I think “being a better runner” can be [...]
[...] Although distance running is an individual sport most runners will tell you that the community of runners is largely community driven. During races you’ll receive endless woots and cheers from spectators but you’ll receive just as many from the other runners in the race. Several training organizations have sprung up that allow the community of runners to collectively raise funds for needy organizations/causes such as Team in Training and Aids Project Los Angeles. [...]
I would be interested in receiving more information on APLA upcoming marathons that are available.