Hawaiian Gardens First Annual 3k Fun / Run

Participants in the 3K Fun Run warm up before the event. The race was held at the Fedde Sports Complex which featured a special course designated just for fun. Participants from Hawaiian Elementary School, Furgeson Elementary School and Melbourne Elementary School averaged 28 persons per school. Artesia High School signed in 60 students. Photo courtesy City of Hawaiian Gardens.

By Tammye McDuff

In celebration of the City’s Golden Year Hawaiian Gardens hosted a 3K Fun Run in October. “We wanted to promote a healthier more active lifestyle in our community,” Mayor Reynaldo Rodriguez told HMG-CN.

The race was held at the Fedde Sports Complex which featured a special course designated just for fun. “We had special dance instructors and exercise gurus to help limber us up,” Rodriquez stated.

A Spirit award was presented to the participants and teams wearing the most celebratory outfit and to the local school with the largest crowd. With over 300 students and 200 adults signed up to participate – City staff registered more than 550 people to walk, jog or run.

Local schools were very active in the event. Participants from Hawaiian Elementary School, Venn W. Furgeson Elementary School and Ella P. Melbourne Elementary School averaged 28 persons per school. Artesia High School signed in 60 students qualifying the school for a $500.00 donation and Fedde Middle School won for the highest student participation with 167 participants, entitling the school for the first place award of $1,000.00 going to the Physical Education Department.

Fedde Academy Principal Ricardo Lois stated how proud he was of the school. “One of the struggles as a Principal, is that the P.E. department does not receive specific budgets. This was a wonderful opportunity for our teachers to encourage their students to come and participate in our community in a fun way.” Lois continued, “on a day-to-day basis, it is the job of our PhysEd teachers to get our kids up, moving and motivated; I want to thank the City Council for sponsoring this event. The kids will be very happy with the new equipment we will be able to purchase.” Robert Costillo, Principal of Melbourne Elementary challenged Fedde Academy for next year “we have 550 students and I am recruiting all 550 to show up next year!”

Rodriquez, although tired from the run / walk stated he believed the community had a great day and he is looking forward to raising the bar with hundreds more participants next year.

Many of the local businesses and staff were in attendance, including the newly renovated Gardens Regional Medical Center [formerly Tri-cities Regional Medical Center]. Spokesperson Sergio Avila was on site early “We have been excited to participate, since we heard of the event and we brought our whole team!”

Councilwoman Marian Rios brought her entire family out “This is extremely important for our City. We have been focusing on creating a healthier environment and I believe we are accomplishing that goal.” Councilmember Michael Gomez, who was the driving force behind this new event, was dressed as Star Wars character Yoda, quoting Luke Sky Walker, “Only a fools dream can defeat the empire, Jedi. This is what the 3k Fun Run is all about, inspiring our community to reach their full potential and create a healthier environment.”