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SAA at the California International Marathon Aid Station 2025

If you show up to Fair Oaks Boulevard before sunrise at 6am on California International Marathon Sunday, you spot it right away. The lights. The noise. The rows of students in gloves and hoodies handing cups of water toward a moving wall of runners. For more than 20 years, Sacramento Adventist Academy has operated the mile 13 aid station at the California International Marathon, and in 2025 the energy continues to grow.

Key Takeaways
SAA runs the mile 13 California International Marathon aid station each year with more than 70 volunteers.
Students support runners by handing water, gels, bananas, and encouragement throughout the morning.
This 2025 CIM volunteer project helps students live healthy and balanced lives through real service.

A Long Running SAA Tradition

This aid station started small. Shoutout to Mr. Ritterskamp, long-time SAA teacher, for starting this service project more than 20 years ago! A few tables. A handful of students. One simple goal, help runners get through the halfway point. Now, heading into CIM 2025, the operation is a full community effort. More than 70 high school students, middle school students, staff, and parents show up at 6 a.m. ready to work. Some return every year. Some also run the relay or full marathon, which builds a fun connection between serving and racing.

The shift runs until noon. During that window, students hand out thousands of cups of water, gels, bananas, and all the encouragement a tired runner needs. The flow does not slow. What runners see at mile 13 is a noisy line of over-excited teenagers, staff, and parents in bright orange safety vests shouting bib numbers and calling out “You have this, keep going.”

They cheer for strangers. They spot runners who look unsteady and offer steady support. They get splashed by flying cups. They laugh. They work hard. It is a clear picture of what it means to serve together in our high school program and across grade levels.

About the California International Marathon

The California International Marathon is one of the fastest marathons in the United States. It starts in Folsom, finishes at the Capitol, and brings athletes from across the world who come to set personal records and Boston qualifying times. Mile 13 sits on Fair Oaks Boulevard, a moment in the race when runners need a boost. That makes it an ideal service project for a school that values healthy living and community support.

For many students, CIM 2025 will be their first hands-on experience with large-scale volunteering. They see thousands of people chasing a goal. They see how handing out a simple cup of water can help someone continue. They see how encouraging a stranger can change their posture in seconds. This connects directly to our schoolwide learner outcomes, especially living healthy and balanced lives and nurturing lifelong relationships from elementary through graduation.

Why Our Community Keeps Coming Back

The draw is simple. CIM morning takes effort, but it gives something meaningful back. Students leave proud of their work. Parents and guardians see a school community that shows up and works side by side. Alumni stop at the station on their way through mile 13 and smile when they see students continuing a tradition they once took part in.

This morning on Fair Oaks fits our mission and our values. It blends service, health, and community into one event that students remember. It is one of the most visible ways our school practices service. It is also one of the simplest. Show up early. Hold a cup. Encourage someone who is trying to reach a goal.

To see more of what happens on and off campus, visit our News and Articles page, explore upcoming opportunities on our School Calendar, or learn how families volunteer on the Volunteer page.

If you show up to Fair Oaks Boulevard before sunrise on CIM Sunday, you spot it right away. The lights. The noise. The rows of students in gloves and hoodies handing cups of water toward a moving wall of runners. For more than 20 years, Sacramento Adventist Academy has operated the mile 13 aid station at the California International Marathon, and in 2025 the energy continues to grow.
Key Takeaways
SAA runs the mile 13 California International Marathon aid station each year with more than 70 volunteers.
Students support runners by handing water, gels, bananas, and encouragement throughout the morning.
This 2025 CIM volunteer project helps students live healthy and balanced lives through real service.

A Long Running SAA Tradition

This aid station started small. A few tables. A handful of students. One simple goal, help runners get through the halfway point. Now, heading into CIM 2025, the operation is a full community effort. More than 70 high school students, middle school students, staff, and parents show up at 6 a.m. ready to work. Some return every year. Some also run the relay or full marathon, which builds a fun connection between serving and racing. The shift runs until noon. During that window, students hand out thousands of cups of water, gels, bananas, and all the encouragement a tired runner needs. The flow does not slow. What runners see at mile 13 is a noisy line of overexcited teenagers, staff, and parents in bright orange safety vests shouting bib numbers and calling out “You have this, keep going.” They cheer for strangers. They spot runners who look unsteady and offer steady support. They get splashed by flying cups. They laugh. They work hard. It is a clear picture of what it means to serve together in our high school program and across grade levels.

About the California International Marathon

The California International Marathon is one of the fastest marathons in the United States. It starts in Folsom, finishes at the Capitol, and brings athletes from across the world who come to set personal records and Boston qualifying times. Mile 13 sits on Fair Oaks Boulevard, a moment in the race when runners need a boost. That makes it an ideal service project for a school that values healthy living and community support. For many students, CIM 2025 will be their first hands-on experience with large-scale volunteering. They see thousands of people chasing a goal. They see how handing out a simple cup of water can help someone continue. They see how encouraging a stranger can change their posture in seconds. This connects directly to our schoolwide learner outcomes, especially living healthy and balanced lives and nurturing lifelong relationships from elementary through graduation.

Why Our Community Keeps Coming Back

The draw is simple. CIM morning takes effort, but it gives something meaningful back. Students leave proud of their work. Parents and guardians see a school community that shows up and works side by side. Alumni stop at the station on their way through mile 13 and smile when they see students continuing a tradition they once took part in. Runners feel the difference. They hear the noise before they reach the tables. They enter a lane filled with orange vests, outstretched arms, and loud voices calling “Water,” “Gels,” and “You are halfway.” It is organized chaos with purpose, and it sticks with them long after the finish line. This morning on Fair Oaks fits our mission and our values. It blends service, health, and community into one event that students remember. It is one of the most visible ways our school practices service. It is also one of the simplest. Show up early. Hold a cup. Encourage someone who is trying to reach a goal. To see more of what happens on and off campus, visit our News and Articles page, explore upcoming opportunities on our School Calendar, or learn how families volunteer on the Volunteer page.