Lace up, it’s time for the 28th annual Tiger Run set to hit the streets of South Pasadena.
Getting underway at 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, at South Pasadena High, participants will have the opportunity to take part in either a 10K, 5K or Tiger Cub Run – the latter a sprint around the school’s track for kids, making it a complete family event.
“The spirit of giving by the community, the involvement by the City of South Pasadena and Aztlan Athletics as co-sponsors of the Tiger Run, along with parent volunteers, teachers – some of whom have been involved since its inception in donating their time – and supporting sponsors, all make it a fun day,” said Jose Zavala, the race director and operating partner of the event.
“It’s also a meaningful event in that it brings the community together in the spirit of philanthropy,” stressed Zavala.
Bill Buckley, who co-chairs the SPHS Booster Club event with Kristen Swift, explained the original Tiger Run was started in 1981 by a small group of parents to raise funds for the high school football team.
After a series of stop and starts, the Tiger Run is now in its 28th consecutive year, and, as Buckley points out, it has significantly expanded to support more than 50 SPHS clubs and teams on campus.
“Equally important is that the Tiger Run has become a South Pasadena tradition,” he said. “It’s a multi-generational community event where most of the walkers and runners are from South Pasadena. Joining our students, families and friends are teachers, city council members, city officials, police officers, firefighters, along with local groups, like the DUDES, South Pasadena Little League, AYSO Region 214, and South Pasadena businesses all focused on supporting students and keeping our community spirit strong.”
The DUDES? Yes, just like it sounds, they’re a crowd favorite, a bunch of dudes of all ages who have a vested interest in the town. They are known formally as a nonprofit called “Dads Uniting Dads in Education,” forming a volunteer brotherhood to support local schools, and making the community the best it can be for students.
The Tiger Run, along with the SPHS Booster Club’s Tiger Bingo held inside the high school gym on Saturday nights, are the two primary fundraisers that directly. support the clubs, activities, and teams at SPHS.
“From the beginning, the focus has always been to assist clubs and teams with their fundraising efforts via the proceeds, as well as provide funds for scholarships and grants,” explained Buckley. “As a public school, the Tiger Run and Tiger Bingo revenues afford SPHS students, clubs and teams with opportunities that would not be available without this additional financial support.”
Both the distance runs start from outside the school’s gymnasium on Diamond Avenue. The 5K is a 3.1 miler that after leaving Diamond, heads for the Marengo District in the city and covers Monterey Road, Oak Street, Milan Avenue, Spruce Street, Marengo Avenue, before finishing up back on Diamond.
The 10K covers all the 5K route ahead of a more challenging portion, taking runners up steep Via Del Rey and ultimately through the famed Snake Trail leading back to the high school.
Not only does the Tiger Run attract many from South Pasadena, but a large gathering of those who take part in other Aztlan Athletics produced events are exposed to it, noted Zavala.
His firm, Aztlan Athletics, organizes more than 25 run/walk events in California throughout the year.
“We have the unique ability to promote the event to more than 20,000 people on our mailing list and it has helped to bring participants from outside of the city as they now make it part of their menu of events,” he said.
Over the years, Buckley has noticed that the reputation of the Tiger Run and its energy, organization and community spirit has continued to grow outside South Pasadena’s borders. “We’re fortunate that our partner, Aztlan Athletics, successfully produces other run/walk events in the LA area where they’re able to promote the Tiger Run to those event participants,” he said.
Traditionally, the Tiger Run attracts 800-plus runners and walkers on the two routes through town.
“It’s the sharing of experiences between participants,” explained Zavala, when asked what’s the best part of the Tigers Run. “It’s the smiles it brings to the kids in the Tiger Cub run. It’s the special enjoyment that reminds us we can all make time and a difference to support our community. It’s also the healthy competition, bringing out a group of hardcore runners as well as those running or walking enjoying the sights and sounds of South Pasadena at its best.”
Offering the SPHS Boosters Club perspective, Buckley added: “It’s seeing so many runners and families come together year after year to support the Tiger Run! New families with young children at the Cub Run, seeing that point when students, parents and families are running together, friends and neighbors strolling and chatting, the competition among the seasoned runners all combined with the energy from so many volunteers makes for an exciting South Pasadena morning.”
Asked what keeps the Tiger Run going, the co-chair was quick to answer. “The excitement and passion for South Pasadena schools along with the experience the schools provide has kept generations of families and teachers investing time and effort to keep the Tiger Run Running,” Buckley said. “We’re grateful for the support of our co-sponsor, the City of South Pasadena, for their partnership along with along with so many local businesses who contribute to the success of the Tiger Run.”
In addition to the City of South Pasadena and Aztlan Athletics as co-sponsors, Platinum level major sponsors include Athens Services, AYSO Region 214, Molina Family, Michelle Downing/Compass, Nichole Dunville/Coldwell Banker, and SmileHaus Orthodontics.
Others backing the event include Silver Sponsors: Aldana Chiropractic, Emilia Aldana of Compass, Yoga Six Pasadena, and Rise Lux Travel. Bronze Sponsors: The Daily by Huntington Catering, the D.U.D.E.S., the BH Partnership, South Pasadena Little League and Jason Bergman of The Agency. In-Kind Sponsors contributing to the event include: Pavilions, Mamma’s Pizza and Electrolit.
Ready to run/walk? The registration fee is $54 for the 5K, 10K and the Virtual Run while the Cub Run (10 and under) is $27. In appreciation of those supporting the event, participants will receive a student designed commemorative Tiger or Cub Run t-shirt.
Zavala calls registering for the Tiger Run “easy” simply by going to www.SpTigerRun.com or signing up in-person on Friday, December 5 in the outside basketball court area on the South Pasadena High campus just behind the track from 4 to 8 p.m. or on the day of the event from 6:30 to 7:40 a.m.
