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The Tiger Run, along with the weekly Tiger Bingo, are the South Pasadena High School Booster Club’s primary fundraisers that support over 40 clubs, teams, and organizations at South Pasadena High School. The proceeds from the Tiger Run and Bingo benefit a wide range of student needs including scholarships, travel grants, equipment and supplies.
The Tiger Run co-chairs, Katie Clark and Bill Buckley, work closely with the Booster Club’s long time race partner, Jose Zavala, Aztlan Athletics, to ensure that the Tiger Run continues to be an inclusive community event that SoPas locals and visitors can enjoy. Whether you run, walk, stroll with friends – it’s all about coming together to help the students at SPHS.
Says Clark, “As a long time runner, it’s exciting to see the Tiger Run continue grow and become multigenerational – and most weekends you can spot someone walking or running around town in a past years Tiger Run shirt!”
Buckley adds, “We’re grateful for the community support, including our co-sponsor, the City of South Pasadena, the schools, our local businesses and organizations, who all help contribute to the success of the Tiger Run and the impact that it has for SoPas High. It’s also become a social event where people can catch up and connect long after their kids have left SPHS.”
Says Zavala, “As a long-time partner of the Tiger Run, in addition to being a fundraiser, we see the Tiger Run as another way for the community to connect as well as contributing to the health and wellness of the city!”
Welcoming the runners and expressing the City of South Pasadena’s support and appreciation was Michael Cacciotti, South Pasadena City Councilmember since 2001, past mayor and longstanding board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Singing the National Anthem was SPHS Junior, William Chang.
1st place female 5K- Heather Huggins
1st place male 5K- Jesus Gutierrez
1st place female 10K – Suzanne Edmands
1st place male 10K – Luis Gutierrez
Spotted running on the morning of December 2nd:
Crossing the finish line together, Therese Molina, one of the original founders of the SPHS Tiger Run, and Kate Gibson, former Booster Club Tiger Run Chair.
Former City Councilmember and Past Mayor, Bob Joe
Another Tiger Run Tradition – both the Tiger Run and Cub Run t-shirts were designed by students – Tiger Run: Hope Schamber, Cub Run: Maxwell Weng
Student volunteers are essential and Clark and Buckley’s primary request is that they bring a level of enthusiasm and energy to the Tiger Run that’s unlike other races – it’s the students who help make it a positive experience for the runners and spectators!
SkillsUSA and the Associated Student Body (ASB) coordinate the large number of student volunteers needed.
In addition to volunteering, SkillsUSA also hosts the annual $5 Pancake Breakfast – enjoyed by all – including a surprising number of runners and walkers before the start of the run!
Continuing to grow in popularity is the Cub Run for those 10 and under. Coordinated by the SPHS Track team, the Cubs run 200m around the track – with some holding their parent’s hand! With the Tiger Mascot helping to hand out Cub Medals at the finish line, it’s become a major photo opp for parents and kids!
The Virtual Tiger Run allows people to still support SPHS – either as a donation or as a way to create their own Tiger Run wherever they are and on a date the works for them. In addition to South Pasadena, there were virtual runners in Mississippi, Boston and London this year!
Race info, results and photos can be found at: www.sptigerrun.com
Mark your calendars for December 7, 2024 for the 27th Annual Tiger Run!
