Las Vegas Teenager Runs Her First Marathon
- By Duncan Larkin
- Published Jan. 19, 2011
Axenya Kachen recently ran her first marathon. Photo: Las Vegas Sun
She has been pushing herself since she was six years old.
High school sophomore Axenya Kachen is doing something a bit uncommon for a 15-year-old: running marathons. Earlier this month, she completed her first 26.2-mile race at the Running from an Angel Marathon in Lake Mead, Nevada.
Axenya has been running since she was six years old, competing in 5Ks and several half-marathons (including the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon) to prepare for her first marathon.
Kachen receives support from both of her parents who are marathoners themselves. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without the support of my family,” Axenya said.
Her father, Pushkin, was by her side as she struggled at the 14-mile mark in the marathon.
“It’s not about competition. It’s not about coming first,” he says. “It’s about finding something in life that gets you excited — something that gives you purpose. We all want to achieve happiness, and this might help you find it.”
For More: Las Vegas Sun
FILED UNDER: News TAGS: first-time marathoners / high school running / Las Vegas / Marathon Training / Nevada / teenage marathoners / Zappos.com Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon
Duncan Larkin
Duncan Larkin is the news editor at Competitor.com and a freelance journalist who’s been covering the sport of running for over five years. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. His first running book, RUN SIMPLE, was released last July.