The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild is inviting you to attend the 2nd annual Family Fitness Fun 5k and Expo, Sunday, April 3 at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands.
Dixie Watkins, co-founder and co-president of the guild, says the event will accomplish two worthwhile objectives.
“We wanted to create an event where families can have a great time doing something healthier than sitting on the couch and watching TV,” Watkins shares. “We also wanted to raise money to benefit the patients of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and underscore the fact that we have such an incredible place for kids right here in our backyard.”
The mansion gates will open at 7:00 a.m. allowing runners time to register for the 8:00 a.m. race while still having time to enjoy warm-up activities at 7:30 a.m.
“The run is not timed,” Watkins informs. “It’s a fun run/walk for people of all ages. We’ll have firefighters there handing out medals to participants and a representative from Redlands Police Department will explain the rules and outline the course.”
In addition to the run, the event will feature an overabundance of fun and educational activities for kids and families.
“We’ll have an obstacle course for the kids,” Watkins notes. “There will also be a fire truck and ladder for the kids to crawl on. We’ll have a reptile petting zoo with Bill Hayes, face painting, crafts, lawn games, golf, tennis and lots of other things.”
Watkins says there will be plenty of activities to interest the adults as well. “At the Expo, we’ll have approximately 25 booths with a variety of ideas for how to get fit and healthy.”
Local organizations that have signed up for a booth so far include:
- CrossFit
- Fox Dance Studio
- Garden Pediatrics
- KFROG 95.1 FM and 92.9 FM
- Jazzercise
- Karate for Kids
- Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
- My Gym
- Redlands Country Club
- YMCA Circus
“The guild recognizes that Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital does a really good job of taking care of sick kids,” Watkins concludes. “We support them for doing that, but we also care about all the other kids and families in our community. We want to help them stay well and healthy. That’s why we sponsor this event. We think the emphasis on prevention, activity and exercise in the fresh air is just what the doctor ordered.”
For more Information about registration fees and how to sign up, please visit www.LLUCH.org/5k