Runners enjoy perfect weather conditions for 5k event in Ontario
Snow-capped mountains and wet asphalt were the only remnants Saturday morning of the rainstorm that pelted much of southern California this week.
That was welcome news to hundreds of runners participating in the Christian Okoye Foundation's 3rd annual Ontario Mills 5K/10K Walk/Run.
The cold morning air was about the only element the runners had to face, which was good for organizer and former NFL player, Christian Okoye.
"I was praying and I kept watching the forecast," he said. "We didn't want it to rain."
All of the proceeds from the run will go to the Christian Okoye Foundation, which benefits more than 5,000 at-risk and underprivileged youth in the Inland Empire.
Funds raised will help the foundation host their annual free athletic clinics, featuring active and retired professional athletes and Olympians.
As of Saturday morning, 265 people had pre-registered for the event, but there was a number of walk-ups, Okoye said.
"I think the rain scared a lot of people," he said.
Good or bad, the weather conditions weren't going to stop Martha Rodriguez from coming out.
The Southgate resident said she runs about seven to eight 5k's a year.
"I love running because it helps me maintain healthy, relieves my stress and I feel so much better after a run," she said.
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| Liset Márquez has covered the city of Ontario for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2008. She started the OntarioNow blog in August 2008. To contact Liset, leave a comment on this blog or send an e-mail to Liset Marquez |
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