The start of a new year usually means, for me, being surrounded by loved ones, eating fruits, jumping up and down as the clock strikes midnight (both Filipino New Year’s traditions).
But this time, my 2024 New Year began on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, with the collective sounds of thousands of feet hitting the pavement, horns honking, and Europe’s “The Final Countdown” blasting over the speakers. It was the first-ever “Run with the Roses” 5K run; a new collaboration with sportswear brand Lululemon and the Tournament of Roses.
The race — along 3.1 miles of the iconic Rose Parade route — kicked off right at midnight on Jan. 1. And it was electrifying.
The inaugural event included 2,500 participants — including myself and Ian, my husband — running, jogging, and walking along a closed-off Colorado Boulevard, just hours before the 135th Rose Parade began.
The out-and-back course started at the Pasadena Lululemon store, turned around at Hill Avenue, and ended at The Paseo mall. There was a DJ, sports-focused vendors, and a pop-up shop selling exclusive Lululemon and Tournament of Roses merchandise at a discount for runners.
Part of the proceeds went to two youth-focused athletic groups, Latino Outdoors and InterTribal Sports, organizers said. The race was sold out just days before.
When Ian and I first signed up, in the middle of a hectic holiday season, we said we wanted to start the new year on a more active note. How about doing a run… in less-than-50-degree-weather… at midnight?! It sounded crazy, but intriguing. And it aligned with our individual and collective goals for 2024.
“Let’s do something a little different this year, for ourselves and our community,” I told him. We’ve been more “casual” runners over the years, joining in the sport when we could with our friends and running groups — shoutout to the O.C. Craft Runners! — and around different neighborhoods. I’d also finished my first half-marathon race in
Read the full article here
