Skid Row Runners NA17087rh

Update

The event has been postponed. We will advise when it is rescheduled.

WHAT: Diverse Running Group through Skid Row

WHEN:Thursday, May 11, 2017 6 a.m.

WHERE: Midnight Mission 601 S. San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90014

WHO: Los Angeles District Superior Court Judge, Craig Mitchell Los Angeles District Criminal Defense Attorney’s Law School Students Captain Marc Reina III, Commanding Officer Central Division Police Officer III Veronica Padilla, Central Division Skid Row Community Members

WHY: Please join the skid row runners on a run, which consists of a superior court judge, criminal defense attorneys’, law school students and a female Los Angeles Police Officer, who run every Monday and Thursday mornings around skid row.

The skid row runners began in 2012 after Judge Craig Mitchell sentenced a defendant, served time and was paroled. The individual asked Judge Mitchell to see his progress at Midnight Mission. These runners have months of sobriety under their belt and positive interactions with the community.

Police Officer III Veronica Padilla runs for the Elite Women’s Team. While working saw a group of people running and asked if she can join their team. The team gladly welcomed her and she has been running with them ever since. Officer Padilla has been joined by two fellow officers and Captain from Central Division.

The running team consists of 15-20 runners and on Saturdays they run at the Rose Bowl. In the past, the skid row runners have been sponsored to run a marathon in Rome. In 2016 they ran the marathon in Vietnam.This year they ran the Los Angeles Marathon 26.2 miles, in which everyone completed the run and had a luncheon in Judge Mitchell’s chambers.

As of right now the skid row runners are currently training for another marathon for March of 2018 in Israel. These runners are committed and Judge Mitchell has people donating tennis shoes for them.

CONTACTS: For questions, please contact LAPD Media Relations at (213)486-5910.