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Lake Elsinore Residents Celebrate Good Health During 10th Annual Unity In The Community 5K/10K Race

Sponsored by the City of Lake Elsinore and hosted at the levee near The Diamond, the event was a family affair.

Lake Elsinore’s 10th annual Unity in the Community 5K/10K Run/Walk & Children's Fun Run saw hundreds of residents and friends come together Saturday to celebrate health and wellness.

Sponsored by the City of Lake Elsinore and hosted at the levee near The Diamond, the event was a family affair that saw all age levels competing for prizes and medals.

Members of the community, schools, businesses and city leaders participated in the run/walk, while vendors and community organizations came out to cheer them on.

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JoAnn Phelps, a second-grade teacher at Tuscany Hills Elementary School said some of her students were on hand as part of the school's 100 Mile Club.

“We teach to the whole child, through education and fitness,” Phelps explained, adding that the 100 Mile Club sees students complete 100 miles of physical activity throughout the school year.

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Luiseño Elementary School students also participated in Saturday’s event as part of the 100 Mile Club.

"This is our school’s first time participating in the 100 Mile Club, and we encourage all our students to do it,” said Libby Chavez, a first-grade teacher at Luiseño.

Some older students were setting an example for the younger elementary-aged kids.

Monica Coronado, 16, this year’s first-place winner of the 10K for students ages 9-18, said, “I did (the race) last year, and I wanted to see if I could beat my score.”

Monica runs cross country and track for her school, Temescal Canyon High School.

Saturday’s health-themed event included a very serious side. Members of the Community Emergency Response Team turned out for the race. CERT provides certified hands-on training in emergency triage and medical practices, search and rescue techniques and disaster preparedness. Classes are offered free to the community. 

John Larsen, a CERT volunteer, said his mission was to bring awareness to the organization.

“We want the community to know we are here, and how we can help them prepare in a case of disaster or emergency,” he said. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when."

For more information and to register for a free upcoming CERT class, visit mzilliox@lake-elsinore.org or call 951-674-5170. 

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