Photos by
Larissa Althouse
The Review
It was a brisk morning as runners began checking in for the 26th annual SPHS Tiger Run on Dec. 2.
There were 874 registrants participating in various events, such as the 5K, 10K and the Cub Run, a 300-meter race coordinated by the SPHS track team for participants age 10 and under and included a medal ceremony with the Tiger mascot. Participants were also able to run virtually.
SkillsUSA and the Associated Student Body coordinated the large number of student volunteers needed. In addition to volunteering, SkillsUSA also hosted the annual $5 Pancake Breakfast enjoyed by spectators and participants.
Welcoming runners to the starting line was South Pasadena City Councilmember Michael Cacciotti. SPHS junior William Chang sang the National Anthem.
Heather Huggins and Suzanne Edmands won the women’s 5K and 10K races, respectively. Jesus Gutierrez was the winner in the men’s 5K, while Luis Gutierrez won the men’s 10k. Also spotted crossing the finish line together were Therese Molina, one of the original founders of the SPHS Tiger Run, and Kate Gibson, former Booster Club Tiger Run Chair.
The annual Tiger Run, along with the weekly Tiger Bingo, are SPHS Booster Club’s primary fundraisers, which support more than 40 clubs, teams and organizations at South Pasadena High School. The proceeds from the Tiger Run and Tiger 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 longtime race partner, Aztlan Athletics CEO Jose Zavala, to ensure the Tiger Run continues to be an inclusive community event South Pasadena locals and visitors can enjoy.
Clark said, “As a longtime runner, it’s exciting to see the Tiger Run continue to grow and become multigenerational — and most weekends you can spot someone walking or running around town in a past years Tiger Run shirt!”
“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 South Pasadena High. It’s also become a social event where people can catch up and connect long after their kids have left SPHS,” Buckley said.
“As a longtime 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,” Zavala said.
Organizers agreed that whether you run, walk or stroll with friends — it’s all about coming together to help the students at SPHS.
First published in the December 8 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
