Fitness should be fun for the whole family. That’s the idea behind the Family Fitness Fun 5K Run/Walk & Expo to be held Sunday, May 3, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Burrage Mansion, located at 1205 W. Crescent Ave. in Redlands.
“There will be tons of interesting things for families to do,” observes Dixie Watkins, president of the sponsoring Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild. “In addition to the 5K run/walk through the streets of Redlands, there will be a guided adventure course for children, a live animal demonstration from Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary, colorful and interactive exhibits to entertain and motivate people to better health, several prize drawings – including a grand prize of four tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm – and a T-shirt for everyone who participates in the 5K. It’s going to be an awesome day!”
The organization Watkins leads was founded in 1999 to benefit the patients of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. One of those patients, 11-year-old Adrian Grejada, will participate in the 5K. “I’m very grateful,” Grejada says. “I understand how much they care.”
“When Adrian was 10, he was injured by a car that plunged through the fence at his school,” Watkins reports. “As a result, he had to have part of his right leg amputated. Today, he wears a prosthetic device and is able to run and play like other kids his age. We’re excited that he’s going to run in the race.”
Watkins says one of the most innovative activities of the day will be the bicycle smoothie machine. “It’s the coolest thing,” she says of the innovative contraption that will be featured at a booth for RICO, a high school mountain biking team. “You put the smoothie ingredients in the mixing chamber, then climb aboard the bicycle and pedal away. When you’re finished exercising, you enjoy a delicious smoothie!”
More than 25 sponsors will hosts booths at the Expo, including Walter’s Automotive, Curves, Jazzercise, and Karate for Kids. Also participating will be community organizations including Safe Kids and YMCA, and health care providers like Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center and Garden Pediatrics. Many of the sponsors will offer giveaway items and will hold prize drawings of their own.
“The Redlands Fire Department will bring a hook-and-ladder fire truck for kids to climb on,” Watkins reports. “The Redlands Police Department will provide free fingerprinting for kids. Other sponsors will offer face-painting and similar fun activities.”
Admission is $35 per person ($100 per family) for those who want to run or walk in the 5K and enjoy the expo. For those who want to just attend the expo, the cost is $10 per adult or $5 per student. Another $5 buys six tickets for the grand prize drawing, with proceeds benefiting guild projects for the children of the Inland Empire.
Due to restrictions on the number of people allowed on the grounds of Burrage Mansion, participation is limited to the first 400 who register. Online registration is available at LLUCH.org, and while there may be walk-in spaces available the day of the event, Watkins urges everyone to play it safe and register online.
“All in all, this is going to be a wonderful day,” Watkins concludes. “I can’t think of a better way to get the whole family excited about being outdoors and exercising!”