Thousands gear up for 24th Village Runner 4th of July 5K
Jamie Nieto, a two-time Olympic high jumper, will be honored with the “Pathfinder Award” at the 24th Village Runner 4th of July 5K presented by UCLA Health. Photo by Kirby Lee
Before the barbecues and firework displays, thousands of participants and spectators will begin their Independence Day festivities in Redondo Beach’s Riviera Village.
Village Runner celebrates its 24th year of hosting the 4th of July 5K Run/Community Walk presented by UCLA Health when the race begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4 on Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach.
The 5K race features chip timing, age division awards and cash prizes to the top three overall male and female runners. All participants will receive a 4th of July Run t-shirt.
Juan Paredes won last year’s race with a time of 14 minutes, 50 seconds. Ana Narvaez captured the women’s title at 17:13.
Prior to the race, a Red, White & Blue Costume Contest will be held at 7:15 a.m. Winners will receive gift certificates in amounts of $100 for first place, $75 for second, and $50 for third place.
Following the 5K, the popular Firecracker Dash for kids ages 4-12 will start at 9:30 a.m. All finishers in the kid’s receive medals.
For the 15th year, local fitness legend GI Joe Charles will be holding his $1,000 One Push-Up Challenge. The competition is free to enter and will start approximately at 9:15 a.m.
The 4th of July 5K event also feature a two-day Lifestyle Health and Fitness Expo starting on Monday, July 3. The Expo will feature samples, sales, and product demonstrations from several running brands. After the race, runners can continue the celebration at Rocks & Brews, 6300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach.
Redondo Beach Councilman Nils Nehrenheim is the honorary host for the 4th of July 5K and, prior to runners sprinting off the starting line, will introduce Mayor Bill Brand who will serve as honorary race starter.
Also acknowledged will be two-time Olympian high jumper Jamie Nieto who will be presented the 2017 Pathfinder Award because of his determination and perseverance to overcome a serious injury.
In April 2016, while coaching Olympic hopefuls at Azusa Pacific College, Nieto was demonstrating a backflip. His foot slipped on the rotation causing him to hit his head leaving him with a severe spinal injury and partial paralysis.
“I am on a mission to recover 100 percent. I walked 200 steps recently without a cane,” said the 40-year-old Nieto who resides in San Diego. “The biggest struggle to get back is patience. I hope to make a full recovery within two years.”
Festivities at the Village Runner 4th of July 5K begin with the Red, White & Blue Costume Contest. Photo
Nieto will join the list of previous Pathfinder Award winners Kayla Montgomery, a distance runner who has struggled with MS and two-time NCAA Champion track coach, Bob Larsen.
One of the few world-class jumpers to jump off his right leg, Nieto has a best of 7’8 ¼” in the high jump which ranks as one of the top jumps ever by an American. He is a four-time National Champion, three-time All-American, two-time Olympian and, in 2012 at the age of 35, was the oldest American high jumper to make the Olympic team.
In addition to coaching, Nieto is following his passion for writing, acting, and producing films. He starred in Baseball’s Last Hero: The Roberto Clemente Story. Other film credits include The Encounter, Kontrast, Jerusalem Countdown, and Red Line. Nieto is producing the upcoming web-series Blood Brothers.
A native of Seattle, Washington, Nieto was raised in a single parent home in Sacramento.
“It’s an honor to be the recipient of the 2017 Pathfinder Award. I feel blessed and hope that my achievements can inspire others,” Nieto said. “As a Pathfinder, I dealt with a lot of challenges as a youth, including poverty and racism.”
Registration for the 4th of July races are available online (villagerunner.com) or at Village Runner stores: 1811 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach; 1840 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach.
Fees are $40 for the 5K and $30 for the Firecracker Dash. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation along with local schools and running programs.
Race sponsors include UCLA Health as the gold medal sponsor, Ruznak South Bay as the automotive sponsor and 100.3 The Sound as the media sponsor along with additional sponsors South Bay’s Coast Fitness Club and Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital.