Broad pine trees towered above the throng of runners fidgeting in silence in a mass behind the starting line last April. City Councilman (now Mayor) Jim Clark shouted the count down and triggered the blast of the horn, launching the front runners in a full sprint; those in the pack in a controlled gait, the only sound the soft patter of hundreds of colorful running shoes striking the gray asphalt.
The last runner disappeared down B Street, leaving the starting area in empty silence.
Adults and youth of all ages from Culver City and neighboring communities gathered April 3 at West L.A. College to celebrate an active, healthy life by participating in the second annual Culver City Healthy Family 5K Run/Walk.
Naomi Baron, group exercise instructor at the Y, vaulted onto the open-air stage at 8:30 a.m. and led stretching and warm ups in the staging area.
The 5K Run/Walk started at 9 a.m. and followed a scenic path around the perimeter of the West LA College, most of the course winding through the woodsy terrain that adds to the beauty of the campus.
Families with young children who opted for a shorter distance assembled on B Street at 9:15 a.m. and took off on the Family Fun Walk, a lovely morning stroll around the athletic complex that covered about ¾ mile.
The final event of the day featured kids 12 years and younger, who lined up at 10 a.m. for the Kiddie Race and dashed along the composite track around the football field, in some cases at the urging of the parents, to finish to the enthusiastic applause of the onlookers.
Master of Ceremonies Michael Coen handed out awards to the 5K Run/Walk winners on the grand stage just off the football track. In the category males 14 years and older, Mason Acevedo finished first, Hector Cordero second, and Faheem Chunara third.
For females 14 years and older, Eden Winslow captured first, Heather King second, and Shae Andreone third. Everyone who registered for the 5K, the Kiddie Race and the Family Fun Walk received a handsome race medal with the race logo in the middle.
Whole Foods supplied bottled water and freshly cut oranges for post race refreshments. Naked Juice brought their colorful green truck and handed out six different varieties of their popular juice. Noah’s Bagel in the Marina furnished fresh bagels for everyone in attendance.
We want to acknowledge our generous sponsors whose contributions made the event possible: Presenting Sponsor, Cedars-Sinai; Gold Sponsors, FastSigns Culver City and Dunkin’ Donuts; and Silver Sponsor, 18 | 8 Fine Men’s Salon Culver City.
Proceeds of the event went to youth programs operated or sponsored by the three hosts: Culver-Palms Family YMCA, Culver City Teen Center and Camp, and the Culver City Rotary Club.
“Circle the first weekend of April 2017,” a YMCA spokesperson said. “We’re already planning for the third annual Culver City Healthy Family 5K Run/Walk to take place on the beautiful grounds at the same location, West L.A. College.”
Check in on the race website, runculvercity.com, for announcements about registration, course layout and the expanding activities that will be part of the April 2017 event.
