THE CONCEPT OF A RUNNING PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN was established in 2007. Motivated by an article in Runners World magazine, PSMR founder, Molly Thorpe created this desert program for at-risk youth. Volunteer mentors teamed with teens and young adults who faced tremendous personal challenges and worked together toward health, fitness and life-long goals. Molly's retirement from teaching ended this formal training program, but continues today as Palm Springs Marathon Runners provides school groups and challenged athlete groups reduced entry and running scholarships so they may participate in our races.
In May of 2011, while attending the Possabilities 5K in Loma Linda, our students heard about a tragedy at home - the killing of Palm Springs Police K-9 IKE and the injury of his handler. Shaken by this tragedy, the students wanted to do something to express their support of the local police and sorrow in the loss of their K-9 Officer. Hence, RUN FOR IKE was born. This event has taken place every year with all profits donated to the Palm Springs Police Department K-9 Fund. Additionally, PALM SPRINGS MARATHON RUNNERS supports other community organizations by hosting the Palm Springs WILD TURKEY TROT 5K benefiting the Mizell Center Meals on Wheels Program, and the SANTA PAWS 5K & Lil' Elf Dash benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert. By "giving back", we learn to be contributing members of our community; supporting charitable causes. Our thanks to all of our loyal sponsors and participants for their generous support of our program!
In May of 2011, while attending the Possabilities 5K in Loma Linda, our students heard about a tragedy at home - the killing of Palm Springs Police K-9 IKE and the injury of his handler. Shaken by this tragedy, the students wanted to do something to express their support of the local police and sorrow in the loss of their K-9 Officer. Hence, RUN FOR IKE was born. This event has taken place every year with all profits donated to the Palm Springs Police Department K-9 Fund. Additionally, PALM SPRINGS MARATHON RUNNERS supports other community organizations by hosting the Palm Springs WILD TURKEY TROT 5K benefiting the Mizell Center Meals on Wheels Program, and the SANTA PAWS 5K & Lil' Elf Dash benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert. By "giving back", we learn to be contributing members of our community; supporting charitable causes. Our thanks to all of our loyal sponsors and participants for their generous support of our program!
RUN FOR IKE 5K & Jr. IKE Dash
Although we began solely as a running team, over the years, we ventured into both biking and swimming. The diversity of these sports was a wonderful challenge. Many team members participated in the Tour de Palm Springs bike ride. Pictured here is Anthony Marquez who completed the 56 mile route. Team members have also participated in duathlons as well as reverse triathlons including Loma Linda's Possibilities, the Fontana Steelman and the Sunset Rotary Tinman. Team members enjoyed the challenge and the diversity of activities and have come to embrace the sport of triathlon. Our friends at Exceeding Expectations have supported our endeavors and invited us to participate along side them in many events. Our thanks to EE founder, Cherie Gruenfeld for loaning us bicycles and wetsuits and sharing her knowledge and experience with us. She has opened our eyes to a whole, new realm of possibilities!
Thank you to our sponsors...
5K Run in Indian Wells, CA 2009
PALM SPRINGS MARATHON RUNNERS PAST TEAM PHOTO GALLERY
Stroll down memory lane with many of our team members at their past events. Teens who find a positive outlet for their energy stay better focused, have a higher high school graduation rate and are able to better overcome societal obstacles such as a challenging home life, smoking, drugs and gangs. Running can be one of many healthy outlets that help students stay on track through their high school years and adulthood. We congratulate our former team members. Many have already graduated and gone on to attend and graduate from college and start families and careers of their own. Our Team Pledge outlines the goals we have for our teammates: "I work hard and I stay storng. I choose the path or right not wrong. I'll stay the course and do my best. Achieving goals is my quest. I can realize any dream as I bring honor to my team. Honest, loyal, faithful, proud - Hear me as I shout aloud - I am a student runner".
Stroll down memory lane with many of our team members at their past events. Teens who find a positive outlet for their energy stay better focused, have a higher high school graduation rate and are able to better overcome societal obstacles such as a challenging home life, smoking, drugs and gangs. Running can be one of many healthy outlets that help students stay on track through their high school years and adulthood. We congratulate our former team members. Many have already graduated and gone on to attend and graduate from college and start families and careers of their own. Our Team Pledge outlines the goals we have for our teammates: "I work hard and I stay storng. I choose the path or right not wrong. I'll stay the course and do my best. Achieving goals is my quest. I can realize any dream as I bring honor to my team. Honest, loyal, faithful, proud - Hear me as I shout aloud - I am a student runner".
How it all started...
1st Annual Run for Ike May 12, 2011. Our team was participating in Loma Linda's Possibilities Triathlon when we heard the news of a shooting in Palm Springs. The officer was hit, but uninjured as his bullet-proof vest protected him from serious harm. Unfortunately, his loyal K-9 partner, Ike, was killed. When we heard this new, our youngest team member said, "Oh, no! " "Not the dog!" "I wish there was something we could do". That next morning, I went out for a run and decided that we could do something--and the idea of RUN FOR IKE was born. Now, in its 10th year, PSMR has raised over $100,000 for the Palm Springs Police Department K-9 Fund. No one in our organization is paid a single penny for their work in coordinating this event. Our deepest thanks to our sponsors for their continued support. Without them, this event would not be possible.
THE 10th Anniversary 9-11 SALUTE TO HEROES was a community 5K hosted by the PALM SPRINGS MARATHON RUNNERS commemorating the September 11, 2001 attack on America. $5,000 was raised and donated to the City of Palm Springs for a permanent memorial that now stands at the city fire department next to the Palm Springs International Airport.
SANTA PAWS 5K Benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert
In past years, we host a Vetrans Day race to honor the bravery and sacrifices of our active duty military and veterans. Past honorees have included our beloved Sir Orville Bingley III, U.S. Navy Retired and Mayor Robert Moon, U.S. Navy along with all of our U.S. Military heroes active duty and retired!
Running Wild's WILD TURKEY TROT 5K
It's the wildest Turkey Trot in the valley! Presented by Running Wild at 611 South Palm Canyon, this race is becoming a fan favorite; attracting participants from near and far! Join us on Thanksgiving morning for this fast and flat course in Downtown Palm Springs. Start and finish right on Palm Canyon - get your long sleeve tech T-shirt featuring Lucky Turkey, a super cool turkey hat, finisher medals for all plus a finish line download! This is a certified course where records are made!
