Chemistry teacher Jennifer Bravo ran the Ventura Marathon on Sunday, October 22, 2017, in an attempt to qualify for the 2019 Boston Marathon. The qualifying window for 2019 started September 17. She needed a 3 hour 45 minute marathon time to qualify for Boston. She ran a 3:40:50 (8:25 min/mile average pace)! This was the 7th marathon she has completed.
Mrs. Bravo started running and ran her first marathon 5 years ago. She ran the LA Marathon in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In addition, she also ran Mountains to Beach Marathon in 2016 and OC Marathon in 2017. She says that she didn’t know anything about the Boston marathon when she first started running, but “you quickly learn about it from other runners.” It became a goal of hers to qualify. She says, “I'm thrilled that I was able to accomplish my goal. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to run this prestigious marathon.”
This year she will be running the LA Marathon as a pace leader for her running club. She joined the club to help prepare herself for her first marathon five years ago. Now she wants to give back to the club by helping others reach their marathon goals.
She adds, “There is nothing like running a marathon. Whether you have a good day or a bad day, no matter your finishing time, the sense of accomplishment and pride in yourself when you cross the finish line is always worth it.”