Yorktown Christian Academy held their 16^th annual Lions Run 5/10k on Saturday, Feb. 7. The race had 13 age groups and three different race options: a 5k, 10k, and a two-mile walk.

The event started with the opening ceremonies at 7:30 a.m., including a color guard from Cub Scout Troop 226 and the national anthem. Then, the crowd moved to the lawn for the Mascot Race, followed by the Kiddie Race.

The Mascot Race involved a Chick-fil-a cow, H-E-Buddy, Andy the Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse, and YCA’s Leo the Lion running a race and then turning around to cheer on kids aged kindergarten and under as they raced as well.

Shortly after this, Camp Gladiator provided a warmup for all the official race runners before the races began at 8 a.m.

Camp Gladiator provides outdoor workouts to local communities and focuses on building a relationship with their clients to foster motivation and a family-like environment.

“I think [an event like this] builds confidence and it builds a sense of community. Being able to work together with a group of other, not necessarily strangers, but people around them they’ve never met before,” said local Camp Gladiator trainer Ivan Gonzales. “So that’s helpful when they grow up and they’re able to work with people. I’m sure the parents love it.”

At 8 a.m., the 10k took off, shortly followed by the 5k and two-mile runners. While the 10k contained mostly adult and teenage runners, the 5k/two-mile run/walk contained runners from ages 6-70.

Among the runners were fire cadets from the Corpus Christi Fire Department running for free and without race bibs. The cadets arrived to the race early to set up and stayed late to tear down as well. They also served pancakes during the subsequent pancake breakfast provided for free to racers.

The Corpus Christi Fire cadets train for their EMT and fire certifications through Del Mar College and are required 20 hours of community service. They gain many of those hours through the Lions Run.

“We just kind of talk about the fire department and the value of being here and showing the community that we’re here: starting from the lowest person on the totem pole as a cadet, all the way up our assistant chief of the training department,” said CCFD Captain Marissa Barrera from the training division. “It takes everyone in the department to come together as a team and show the community that we’re here and that we can help in any way.”

Also among the runners was the Hunt family. Marifel, Alan, Francesca, Josephine, and ___, have been running together for years now and run together as a sport and as a hobby. All five ran the 5k and while Alan and Marifel finished before the kids, all three kids finished together.

“Running together made [the race] so much more fun,” said Josephine. “It’s great for all of us to have something in common.”

Josephine also shares a common love-hate relationship with running that many people have. At the end of the day, running for the love of it wins.

“My favorite thing about running is what an entry level sport it is. It ranges from a hobby to an Olympic sport, and it’s a part of what God designed our bodies to do,” said Josephine. “It comes naturally from childhood! No balls or bats or rackets required.”

Also running the 5k was Eunice Guzman. Eunice ran her first official race since coming off the oxygen tanks she was put on last May when she was sick.

“Doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me,” said Guzman.

Guzman has a daughter who attends YCA and has had a niece and nephew go through the school system as well.

“By the Glory of God, I was able to get better and build up my endurance and this was my official run,” said Guzman. “To be able to run without oxygen for three miles was pretty huge and I’m grateful to be able to run for the community and for the school.”

There were many vendors and sponsors present at the race. Smoothie King, Physician’s Premier, Kids Get Fit, Beach to Bay, NavyArmy, and Agape Ranch were all present, among others.

“Get your friends to sign up for 5ks with you!” said Josephine. “Company makes it so much better!”