2009 Junior Carlsbad Off and Running
Kids from across North County celebrate 20 years in Carlsbad
By Maya Shaff
April 4, 2009
The Kids 4 Entoto program is designed to promote physical fitness, charitable service and cultural awareness with kids.
In true Southern California style, the annual Junior Carlsbad kids’ race kicked off with balmy weather and clear blue skies. As kids of all ages – the youngest still in diapers – crossed the finish line, families and spectators lined Carlsbad Village Drive in celebration of the event’s 20th year.
“This year’s event was a huge success,” said Rhonda Mulvey, event manager. “We love to see more and more kids enter the race each year, especially those who have been running for consecutive events.”
Approximately 3,000 kids toed the start line at eleven races throughout the morning, including some who completed the race in honor of kids unable to run or compete. For Students from Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School raised money in support of the Entoto Foundation, running and raising money to help their counterparts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All money raised through pledges helps fly children from Addis Ababa to Los Angeles, CA for desperately needed medical treatment. For more information on the Kids for Entoto program, visit www.entoto.org/OPE.html.
The Junior Carlsbad is part of a weekend-long celebration of fitness in North County San Diego. The kids’ races precede Sunday’s Carlsbad 5000, a 5K event for adults and elite athletes. Both events feature post-race refreshments, prizes, live entertainment and a Health and Fitness Expo featuring the latest in fitness gear, apparel and nutrition.
Registration will be available for the Carlsbad 5000 on race day, which begins Sunday, April 5 at 7:05 am with the Men’s Masters 40 and over. To view the full race day schedule for the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday, April 5, visit www.carlsbad5000.com.
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