The Los Angeles Marathon Route

 

Los Angeles Marathon
Image: lamarathon.com

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Arinze Okeke is a software developer at Intersystems, where he designs software for use in the medical field. Outside of work, Arinze Okeke enjoys running and has completed the LA Marathon.

Held every March, the 2018 version of the Los Angeles Marathon, sponsored by Skechers Performance, will host more than 24,000 athletes from all 50 states and more than 63 countries. The route runs from stadium to sea, starting at Dodger Stadium and ending at the Pacific Ocean near the Santa Monica Pier.

Runners also pass through many unique neighborhoods along the way, including Elysian Park, home to the second largest park in Los Angeles, and Chinatown, home to Chinese immigrants as well as those from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. The route also passes through Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, Bunker Hill, Angeleno Heights, and many more.

Participants must be at least 16 years old. Visit lamarathon.com for more information.

The Coaching Career of Walter Slovenski

 

Slovenski
Image: abacus.bates.edu

The recipient of a bachelor’s in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Arinze Okeke began working as a software developer with Intersystems in June of 2017. While working toward his degree, Arinze Okeke was a member of the MIT track and field team and earned the Walter Slovenski Field MVP Award, which is given to the best jumper in New England Division III.

An all-around athlete, Slovenski was an All-American shortstop in baseball at Syracuse University and also played for the school’s football team, but is best known as an excellent track and field coach. Upon joining Bates College in 1952, Slovenski had ambitions of coaching basketball, but the school needed a track coach and he was happy to take the position. In 1957, he guided the team to its first state title since 1912 and helped it repeat as champions in 1958.

That same year, with the track program lacking quality long-distance runners, Slovenski started a cross country program that quickly mirrored the success of the track team. The cross country team won 18 state meets from 1968 to 1993, during which time it also recorded 30 consecutive dual meet wins against Maine, Holy Cross, Boston University, UNH, Boston College, and the University of Connecticut. A member of multiple sports halls of fame, Slovenski concluded his coaching career with 700 wins and over 20 Maine state championships. He also helped produce 26 All-American track and cross country athletes.