MONUMENTAL MARATHON STUDENTS READY TO GO 26.2 MILES AFTER TRAINING HARD YOUNG MARATHONERS TRAIN HARD.

Byline: Jennifer Hamm Staff Writer

BURBANK - Many children spend weekend mornings parked in front of a television set, but for six months, 10-year-old Heather Harris has crawled out of bed every Saturday before dawn to prepare for the Los Angeles Marathon.

One of only a handful of elementary school-age children who will participate in this weekend's marathon, Heather says the rigorous early morning training sessions will pay off Sunday when she crosses the finish line.

``If I can do 26 miles, I can do anything,'' said Heather, a fifth- grade student at George Washington Elementary School in Burbank.

The Washington Elementary students are the only grade school children in Los Angeles County thought to be entered in the race, said Marsha Charney, executive director of Students Run L.A.

This year, the nonprofit group has trained 1,800 students from 115 schools and programs to participate in the marathon.

``The idea is to complete the experience - not the time that it takes them, just that they cross the finish line,'' Charney said. ``It changes their life.''

Giving children a profound sense of accomplishment was the goal teacher Deborah Gal had in mind when she started training students for the marathon 10 years ago. After walking it herself, Gal thought her students could benefit from the experience too.

She launched a walking club and in the decade that's passed, more than 20 students have completed the 26-mile trek.

``They like the challenge . . . finishing the marathon is an experience that no one can explain unless you've done it,'' said Gal, who teaches special education. ``It's that thrill, that victory that you've accomplished something.''

The jubilation at the finish line comes after endless hours of sore legs, aching toes and exhausted muscles. It is a joy that can be experienced only after countless mornings of dragging yourself out of bed before dawn to practice.

The team of students, teachers and a parent from Washington Elementary began preparing in September. Three mornings each week and regular races make up the practice schedule.

When they started, the team members would walk five miles every weekend in Griffith Park. Now, they are up to 23.

Not everyone sticks with it, though. The group of 10 students who started has dwindled to three.

``It gets painful. Your legs start hurting,'' said Daniel Dyer, a fifth-grader who will participate in his second marathon this weekend.

There are other challenges, too, like missing classmate birthday parties or losing sleep on a Saturday.

``When they have to make those sacrifices, that's part of it,'' said Terry Jackubowski, who coaches the marathoners with Gal and is a classroom adviser for the Los Angeles Unified School District. ``To be able to set up a goal and work for it even though there aren't any immediate benefits. The pride they will feel on Sunday will stay with them for a long time.''

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- ran in Glen/Bur edition only) Fifth graders from George Washington Elementary School train for the L.A. Marathon with teacher Deborah Gal.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

(2 -- 3 -- ran in Glen/Bur edition only) At left, George Washington Elementary School fifth-graders, from left, Daniel Dyer, La Chee Singleton and Heather Harris stretch before training with teacher Deborah Gal, above.