PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

Students left San Leandro High on a 13-mile half-marathon that took them across town to Arroyo High and the San Leandro Marina.

By Jim Knowles

San Leandro Times

A bunch of San Leandro High students ran away from the campus recently and the security guards didn’t even try to stop them.

The students ran for a good cause, to raise funds for school sports and other programs. The half-marathon is organized by the Jefferson Service Club at SLHS, a group that works on social issues at the school and in the community at large.

“It’s one way of showing support for good programs and you get to run with a great group of kids – it’s a wonderful experience,” said Oliver Stanley, a San Leandro High senior as the runners prepared to leave the campus.

The marathoners ran the 13-mile course across town to Arroyo High. From there, they headed to the Marina where they ran the par course and made their way back to San Leandro High by 3 p.m.

The marathon has raised almost $9,000 this year, according to teacher Jack Nelson. The money will go toward scholarships and school sports, and $1,000 will go to West Africa Community Vision, an organization that works to improve the standard of living in West Africa.