On the morning of May 18, UC High hosted its first annual 5K UC Spirit Run and one-mile Kid’s Fun Run, sponsored by the Centurion Foundation, in order to raise money for UC High athletics and clubs. According to Volunteer Coordinator Marie Byrd, the run generated a profit to benefit sports and other programs at UC High.
According to Counselor Teem Osborn, 225 runners participated in the race. “The timing wasn’t all that great, because there were other events that day going on in the community. Many kids from Standley Middle School and Spreckels Elementary attended the event. Considering that this is our first year, we had a great turnout,” said Osborn.
According to the Spirit Run’s website, the Centurion Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the UC High Athletics Department, clubs, students, and families (ucspiritrun.org).
According to the official website for the run, all were invited to join in the festivities. Participants could run, walk, or enjoy the activities on campus. Runners and walkers ran a course that weaved through the campus parking lots and athletic fields, and began and finished on the track and field facility (ucspiritrun.org).
“I like the concept that anyone who decided to run was able to choose any sponsor, such as a certain sport’s team or club,” said Vice Principal Michael Paredes, who participated in the run. “This was a great way to bring the UC cluster schools together to support school programs.”
According to Teacher Susan Bristol, participants in the run were able to select a school organization, such as a UC High club or team, and they could invite friends and family to sponsor them. The run allowed sponsors to donate money directly to the club or team of the participant’s choice.
According to the Spirit Run website, the main purpose of the Spirit Run was “to raise money for UC High, their sport’s teams, and their activities” (ucspiritrun.org). In a classroom presentation, Principal Jeff Olivero also mentioned raising money to keep the school’s athletic trainer for the upcoming 2014-15 school year.
“I was so excited to participate! 5K is a breeze! It’s an awesome way to kick off a Sunday morning. Both my 11 and 13 year old sons did it with me, and they were excited as well,” said Paredes.
According to the UC Spirit Run website, Alumnus and Former Opinions Editor of The Commander Charles McKeown was the first place male finisher with a time of 16:31, Terence Lee took second, and Ryan Kueker took third. Renee Torre was the first place female finisher with a time of 22:55, Emelia Owen took second, and Michaela Selby took third.