Oxnard College’s current track and field and cross country assistant coach will run in the 2008 Olympic Team Trials men’s marathon in New York.

Aaron Sharp, 27, has been running since he was 14. Sharp was also a former Oxnard College student.

Sharp will run in an Olympic trial marathon on Nov. 3 after placing tenth in a field of almost 4,000 at the California International Marathon. He ran the marathon that was held in Sacramento last December in a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, 54 seconds. The Olympic trial in New York goes through Central Park and is 42.195 km long.

Sharp ran for Santa Clara High School, where his mom became his coach. There, he broke the school record in the 3,200 meters. He ran the race in a quick 9 minutes, 12 seconds. After high school, he attended Oxnard College where he ran under his father, Gene Sharp. Aaron Sharp graduated from Oxnard and went on to UCSB, where he helped his school win the 2001 Big West Conference title.

Though very talented, Sharp did not always have a great desire to run. Sharp credits his parents who got him involved.

“My parents are highly involved in running,” said Sharp. “They wanted me to at least try it. I could quit any time.”

Now, 13 years later, Sharp prepares for one of the biggest races of his life. A normal week for Sharp usually includes running 10 to 20 miles per day, once a week running hills, and eating healthy foods. He tries to avoid fast food and likes to eat pasta the night before a big race.

As an assistant at Oxnard, Sharp coaches along side his father. He has been coaching at Oxnard since 2003, right after he graduated from UCSB. Coaching has helped him as a runner and as a person.

“I’m in a leadership role,” said Sharp. “I matured as a person. I am passionate about the students.”

Sharp looks forward to his trip to New York to compete alongside some of the country’s top runners. Lots of training, eating right, and motivation from his parents have helped propel Aaron Sharp to be an accomplished short and long distance runner.