Training for a half marathon is a challenge. Doing so while also working to overcome addiction makes it even harder. But that’s how seven people will find their way to the starting line of the Las Vegas Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon this Sunday.

The group is part of the Up and Running Again program at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. The mission adopted the program about five years ago as a way to provide those going through their rehabilitation program with a holistic challenge to aid their recovery.

“As we see with all of our runners, they come from addiction, homelessness, incarceration, domestic abuse, or some people just down on their luck,” said Greg Clarke, executive director of Up and Running Again, a national nonprofit that hosts running programs at eight rescue missions around the country. “Our mission is to recruit runners at the rescue missions with a goal of holistic health for psychological, physical, and spiritual journeys.”

Tom Alig was one of those down on his luck. Alig was athletic his whole life, playing just about any sport you can think of. That’s how he found his first addiction: the runner’s high.

He ran his first marathon in 1994 in his home of Orange County, California. He ran his last marathon at the Los Angeles Marathon in 2000. That’s when past athletic injuries crept back up, sidelining him from his active lifestyle.

Without that in his life, he turned to the bottle. Then, he lost everything.

“I had a bulging disc in my neck, former torn ligaments, hip problems, and when I wasn’t able to attain that runner’s high from sports, I started drinking to where it became a problem,” Alig said. “I then lost my job, family, house, car, you name it, as I drank day and night.”

That’s how Alig ended up in Las Vegas. He attempted a detox at a friend’s house, but it failed. So he ended up on the street. For two nights, he slept outside, and for two days, he wandered aimlessly. It wasn’t until Valentine’s Day after that second night that he happened by the Las Vegas Rescue Mission.

“I walked up and they said they had a year-long program,” Alig said. “I started the next day. February 15.”

The mission’s 12-month programs have participants work, reflect, and rehabilitate from their various addictions. One added program, Up and Running Again, is optional. Alig, hoping to rediscover his runner’s high, had heard about it, and started with 27 others in July.

The program seems simple: Just train for a half marathon. But that’s actually where the challenge comes in. They get up four times a week at 5 a.m. to run, on top of working at the mission and going through the other phases of their rehabilitation programs.

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That’s why as race day approaches, only seven of the 27 remain. For those who have made it to the start line, the benefits have been life-changing. Alig rediscovered his athletic form. Others found a new, healthy addiction to pursue.

“You need some sort of accomplishment in your life.”

“The experience is rewarding because you need some sort of accomplishment in your life,” Alig said. “Many of these people in the program have never gotten a trophy, never graduated high school or college, never accomplished anything in their lives. That’s why it’s important for them to accomplish something healthy like this.”

The success from the program has given them confidence and resilience, something they can use in other aspects of their lives.

“In running, it’s all on you,” said Heather Williams, director of development at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. “You get yourself out of bed. You get yourself moving. Sure, you have the team support, but you are doing this yourself and making the decision yourself. It’s something special.”

The seven runners won’t be alone when the gun goes off Sunday. They will find support all the way, especially around mile nine where members of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission— volunteers, employees, and participants—are manning the water station for both the half and full marathoners.

The runners and aid station workers will be side-by-side with their community with a new life ahead of them.

“I was able to fast-track my program and completed it in October which took about eight months, Alig said. “But it will still come to a climax for sure this Sunday. I can’t wait to feel the rush of the crowd again.”

Andrew Dawson Gear & News Editor Drew covers a variety of subjects for Runner’s World and Bicycling, and he specializes in writing and editing human interest pieces while also covering health, wellness, gear, and fitness for the brand.

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