Over 500 people participated in Saturday's first Building Healthy Communities 5K Run/Walk and Family Day at Natividad Creek Park, an event designed to promote healthy activities in East Salinas.
Organizers were ecstatic with the level of participation. "It not only brought out a large number of participants to engage in health promoting activities, but it also encompassed the feeling of community that our city needs," wrote Carmen Gil, coordinator with Building Healthy Communities, The California Endowment initiative that organized the event.
The day kicked off with a 5K through the park which took the runners under a tunnel decorated by graffiti art done by local youth. The youth worked on the art piece the day before and they were ecstatic. They expressed how grateful they were to the city for allowing them to express themselves through their preferred art form. After the 5K there was a Children’s 1K in which over 80 Children participated, and that was finally followed by a Toddler Trot for children 3 and under which engaged about 20 toddlers.
“It was amazing to witness entire families engaging a health promoting activity. You got to see mom, dad, and their little ones running together. The smile’s on the parent’s faces when their children crossed the finish line and were awarded medals; were priceless. It was great to see parents encourage their little ones and begin to engage them in an activity that can help them live a healthier lifestyle," Gil said.
The day continued with a Health Fair presented by Students Interested in Medicine Association of Hartnell College, which offered free health screening and resources to participants. To conclude, there was live music and a Zumba dancing.
Ah, if we could only have these type of events every weekend in Salinas!!!
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