On Saturday September 22, participants lined up near Oak Glen, to join in on the 5th annual Savage 5K run.
Carolyn Savage is the host of the annual event and started running at 50 years old, while training with her sister for a marathon in San Diego. She wanted to host an event locally that would benefit the community without being too costly.
“Could I have an event to help promote health and well-being,” said Savage as she began to organize the 5K.
Savage believes that this event can benefit the community by providing a fun way to promote exercise which leads people to be happier and feel good about themselves. She wanted to make exercise more about fun and less about work.
“It’s not about looking like a cookie cutter individual, it’s just about being the best version of yourself,” said Savage.
Each year the 5K is promoted through flyers, Facebook, and word of mouth. It costs participants 25 dollars which pays for a shirt, medal and a social breakfast after the race. The race begins and ends at the Savage residence, and the entire race forms along Oak Glen road where runners are encouraged by motivational signs along the way.
According to Savage the first year of the run started as a 15-mile loop around Oak Glen and later turned into a 10K or a 5K race. It also gave participants the option of riding a bicycle if they didn’t want to run.
The race has hosted an estimate of 25 participants in the first few years to selling out at 50 participants in the fifth year. The runners usually consist of friends Savage has made during other races.
This year was the final Savage challenge race and was dedicated to Carolyn Savage’s niece Jessica Buckmaster who passed away in October 2017. Both family and friends of Savage and Buckmaster attended the 5K as either runners or volunteers of the race.
The energy of the event was positive and participants were excited to be involved.
Pieces of the emblem on the participant’s shirts were based off of paintings Buckmaster had created in the past. The illustrations show poppies which were Buckmaster’s favorite flower, as well as her initials at the bottom of the design.
The colors of the shirt were also decided as black and turquoise, in respect of one of Buckmaster’s favorite stones turquoise.
“As I was preparing for the race, I realized the date was landing very close to the day she passed away, and it just triggered it,” said Savage.
Every year Savage begins to prepare for the race as early as February. She begins to design the logo for the shirts and medals as well as promotes the race.
While Savage has had a good time hosting the annual 5K or 10K she has decided this year was the last Savage Challenge. She is hoping to spend more time with her family during the upcoming years and feels that without hosting the race she can focus more on her personal life.
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