YOUR AD HERE »

Taking on a 26.2-mile challenge

Sun Staff reports
Provided to the SunKyle Jorgensen, a freshman cross-country runner at Truckee High, competed in the California International Marathon on Dec. 6. The marathon started at Folsom Dam and ended in front of the Capital building in Sacramento.
ALL |

Pat Matava learned in her first year as head coach of the Truckee cross country team that she could count on Kyle Jorgensen ” whether it be to provide general team leadership, scout out a needed practice course, or come through in the clutch in a big race.

“Kyle is just an exceptional kid. Even as a freshman you could count on him,” Matava said. “He has incredible leadership skills at a young age.”

So the Truckee coach had no reason to doubt Jorgensen, 15, would remain true to his word when he mentioned his interest to run 26.2 miles ” marathon distance.



On Dec. 6 Jorgensen followed through, running all 26-plus miles of the 27th Annual California International Marathon, starting at the Folsom Dam and ending in front of the State Capital in Sacramento.

Jorgensen crossed the finish line of his first marathon in 4 hours, 16 minutes and 35 seconds ” 3,256th place out of 5,198 individual finishers, according to the race Web site, http://www.runcim.org. Ethiopian Halefom Abebe won the overall in 2:16.42.



Anna Thrasher, Jorgensen’s P.E. teacher at Truckee, said her student could have posted a better finish time had he not pulled his Achilles tendon during the run.

“He’s a phenomenal young man and student-athlete. He has an amazing running career ahead of him if he puts his mind to it,” Thrasher said.

Matava couldn’t agree more.

“Kyle has a lot of natural ability,” she said. “He has a natural stride. When you watch him run you can see he’s going to be very good some day.”

He already has one marathon under his belt.


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.