Friday, Jul. 18, 2008
LB Fun Run ready to go
By Samantha Salas / ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com
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ReprintThe Los Baños High School cross country team is kicking off their season with a fundraiser and a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle: the 5K Tiger Fun Run on July 26 at the Los Baños Fairgrounds.
Along side new head coach Mark Ramirez, the cross country team is helping organize and promote this lifestyle through exercise and getting the community involved.
In its first year, the Fun Run, sponsored by Memorial Hospital Los Baños in conjunction with the Children's Health and Safety Fair, is separated into two divisions; the one-mile Young Run and the 5K Fun Run.
"The Young Run is open to all ages," Ramirez said. "But the course is a one mile stretch inside the Los Baños Fairgrounds.
"The 5K event starts with the 'Young Run' mile, but continues outside the fairgrounds through town. It is also open to all ages."
Along with preparing his team for the new season, Ramirez said the race offers participants personal goals and satisfaction.
"We're aiming to show people a healthier lifestyle," Ramirez said.
The drive and passion to show people this lifestyle through exercise comes from his love for the sport.
A current full-time student and two-year cross country athlete at CSU Stanislaus, Ramirez said he is confident coaching cross country and plans to put his entire heart into it.
"It's easy to work in a field of something that you love. When I'm out there with them, I don't feel like I'm working," he said.
"And I'll do whatever I can to help each of the Los Baños students reach their goals, not only for cross country, but academically as well.
"It's easy for me to relate to them. I know what it's like to run at the college level and to have goals outside of the sport. And I know what it's like to love to run.
"It's an amazing feeling to know I can help them. And I'm putting everything I can into this."
Ramirez said he fell in love with the sport after joining Los Baños' cross country team when he attended the school.
Ramirez said its been a warm reception, with lots of help from parents and Los Baños' former cross country coach Gerald Wall.
"Coach Wall was my coach in high school and is a great friend to me now," Ramirez said. "He has helped me a lot just in the past few weeks I've been the head coach. I have big shoes to fill.
"But I also plan to introduce a couple new aspects of the program that I'm familiar with as a runner and what I think will work well with the team."
Ramirez's big concern going into the season is the team's finances. He's hoping the Fun Run will be a big success.
"We are expecting a lot more people that have already signed up," he said. "The cross country team needs the financial support. And knowing how much going to away meets means to them, I plan to stretch the money we raise as far as I can."
Ramirez said one of the team's goals for the season is to attend the Mt. SAC Invitational in November, an over-night stay the students look forward to every year.
"Cross country is often overlooked because of the time of year our season is held," he said. "We have to compete with football, and football is huge here in town.
"I hope we can show people we can't be overlooked if we want to help these kids accomplish their goals.
"And I'll do whatever I can to help them reach their goals."
Runners interested in participating in the 5K Tiger Fun Run and helping support Los Baños' cross country team should register as soon as possible either online at www.losbanosrunners.com, by mailing an entry form to Fun Run c/o LBHS Cross Country Coach, 1966 11th St. or on race day between 7-7:50 a.m.
The one-mile Young Run begins at 7:30 a.m.; the 5K Fun Run at 8 a.m.
Enterprise reporter Samantha Salas can be reached by phone at (209)388-6562 or by e-mail at ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com.