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Residents living in Boyle Heights, one of Los Angeles’ predominantly Latino districts, took charge of their health by hosting one of the area’s very first 5K runs in conjunction with a community health fair.
According to a Streetsblog LA blog, the event which took place on Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 8:00-9:45 am, was organized under the leadership of Juan Romero, owner of a local coffee shop called Primera Taza. Romero wanted for local residents to have an event of their own that celebrated their culture, family and health, while raising funds for organizations in need.
After years, of discussing the idea for a 5K, in March 2014 Romero decided to take the initiative of organizing the event himself. He partnered with the White Memorial Hospital the Variety Boys and Girls Club and with local organizations who put together race teams. Prizes like Apple i pad minis, chromebooks, and 400 medals for runners were given away that day, along with over 200 bike helmets that were distributed at the event.
The best part of the event is that was that it got entire families to be physically active together— moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas and children all participated. .
“I just was in awe,” Romero said of the event, in the Streetsblog LA post. He hoped that the community would find a way to make it a regular event.
Read more about this here.
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By The Numbers
33
percent
of Latinos live within walking distance (<1 mile) of a park
