Sotto was part of a group of 54 student runners, plus several volunteers, that competed in the Los Angeles Marathon on March 6.

The students had committed to a five-month training regimen, which involved running three days a week after school, with one longer run each weekend to prepare for the marathon. The students also did cross training at the downtown Oakland YMCA once or twice a week.

Beset by a calf injury, Sotto had to drop out of the race at the 15th mile.

"For me, he's an inspiration," said Piedmont resident Christine Chapon, who volunteers for Students Run Oakland.

"He did the right thing. It's really hard to pull yourself out of a race. It was a sign of strength," she said.

Launched in 1999, Students Run Oakland is a non-profit running program that serves low-income high school students in Oakland.

Students Run Oakland is modeled after a program in the Los Angeles area that uses the concept of training for a marathon to teach at-risk youth the values of goal-setting, discipline and commitment, which can become skills they can use in academics and other areas of their lives, say organization officials.

Edgar Moreno, a student at University Preparatory Charter Academy in Eastmont Mall, and Javet Perez, a student at Fremont High School, were the first Students Run Oakland runners to cross the finish line, both covering the 26.2 miles in 4 hours, 15 minutes.

Moreno ran the marathon last year, while this was Perez's first try. Chapon said.

For the girls, Jenday Curry, a junior at Castlemont High School, led the pack, finishing in 5 hours, 20 minutes. Classmate Alejandra Tejeda followed her closely, clocking in at 5 hours, 25 minutes. A repeat marathoner, Tejeda had to drop out of the race last year due to a leg injury.

The last Students Run Oakland runners finished the race in about 7 1/2 hours, Chapon said.

"We told them it's not about the time -- it's what you've done," she said. "At the beginning of the race I told them, 'You should be proud to be at the starting line.' Being at the start is already a victory."

The runners worked together and encouraged each other throughout the race, Chapon said.

Some of the runners who had finished the race used their cell phones to call others who were still running to encourage them, Chapon said.

One runner carried a fellow runner who was struggling at the end over the finish line.

Chapon said that each of the students experienced a full spectrum of emotions ranging from frustration to elation during the marathon.

On Monday, the students did some sightseeing, including visiting Hollywood and going to Venice Beach.

"They had a lot of fun," Chapon said.

The students and volunteers will celebrate their accomplishments at a March 18 banquet.

For more information about Students Run Oakland or to make a donation, visit www.studentsrunoakland.org , or call 510-644-4232.