City Plans 5K Run to Aid Recreation Fund

The city’s Recreation and Community Services Department is promising a fast and flat course for Saturday’s second Mission Run.

Proceeds from the 5K race will go toward a scholarship fund that enables the city’s disadvantaged youth to enroll without fee in recreational activities.

“The first time around we had over 200 [paying] runners, and we are expecting more this year,” said Gwen Indermill, San Fernando’s recreation director.

“All of the money we raise will go to the kids.”

More than 1,000 students from San Fernando and O’Melveny elementary schools who have been participating in the Walk of Life health program will swell the ranks of runners this year, Indermill said.

“These children have made a commitment to exercise and get in shape to run the race,” Indermill said.

Beginning at the San Fernando Mall, runners--and walkers--will follow the level, 3.2-mile course down Brand Boulevard to the San Fernando Mission, where they will reverse their course and head back into town to the mall and the finish line.

After the race, awards will be handed out to first- through third-place finishers in several male and female age divisions.

Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday; the race will start at 8 a.m. A $15 fee is required for adults and children 12 and older.

Because of the race, the following roads will be closed from 6:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday: westbound Brand Boulevard between Truman Street and Columbus Avenue, Columbus Avenue between Brand Boulevard and San Fernando Mission Road, Noble Avenue between Brand Boulevard and San Fernando Mission Road and San Fernando Mission Road between Columbus and Noble avenues, city officials said.