Union City Residents Race in the Rain

The soft Sunday showers didn't stop more than 100 people from participating in the fourth annual 5K/10K Anniversary Family Fun Run & Walk.

The race started at 9:30 a.m. and ended around 11:30 a.m. at , where vendors and spectators waited for the runners to return.

According to Maynard Estrellado, recreation coordinator at the Union City Sports Center, the Fun Run is to “get people more active.”

More people registered for this year’s Fun Run than the previous ones. Including those who registered on race day, 108 participants paid the fees, but not all were present.

Estrellado was pleasantly surprised about how many people decided to still race despite the weather.

“There were more runners than I thought,” he said.

Half of the runners are members of the Union City Sports Center and the other half were individuals from the community and elsewhere. However, only one participant each was in attendance for both the Pet Walk and one-mile kid run.

Among the runners was Union City Mayor Mark Green, who has participated in all of the previous Fun Runs.

Green, an avid runner since his high school days forty years ago, placed first in the 5K male 55 and over category.

The rain wasn't a problem for Green. “[It's] not ideal conditions, but better than super cold weather,” he said.

After the race concluded, raffle prizes were given away and an awards ceremony commenced where medals were awarded to the winners in each category. Results can be viewed at srtiming.com.

First time participant and Union City resident Joycelyn Scannell and her 11-year-old son, Chase, had an awesome time during the Fun Run, they said.

“It’s a totally different experience versus being in the gym,” said Scannell, who reached a personal best with a time of 42:14 in the 5K. “It’s less than my age,” she said jokingly.

Scannell has been a member at the Union City Sports Center since it opened in 2007, which is how she heard about the Fun Run. With the support of friends and family, she and her son registered for the race.

For those who have never ran a race, Scannell advised to stick with the training and “don’t give up!”

Mayor Green notes the mental and physical aspect of running. Consistency is key, he explained.

The day ended with a pause in the rain just in time for the awards ceremony.

According to Estrellado, rain was the only issue.

“[The Fun Run] went really smoothly this year,” said Estrellado.

Stay tuned for more photos from the Fun Run in this week's on Thursday, March 10.