The early morning sun shines, casting a golden glow over the Las Positas campus. Students, teachers and community members gather in a show of support for higher education. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for health and wellness programs
Las Positas kicked off its first LPC Run for Higher Education at 9 a.m. on March 29. The community event featured a 5k run and a 1-mile fun walk and welcomed everyone in the Tri-Valley area to participate.
“One of our priorities this year for the college is focused on health and wellness, and we thought this would be a great way to bring the community together and focus on our health and wellness. So today was a win-win for everybody,” President Dyrell Foster said.
“We wanted to have fun along the way. I love that people came out to the campus for the first time. People brought their friends, family and pets, so it was an awesome day with a lot of smiles and sunshine.”
ON THE MOVE: Members of the LPC community ran a 5k (top photo) and some walked a mile (bottom) as part of a campus fundraiser on March 29. (Photo Ian Kapsalis/ The Express)
LPC’s fun run saw more than 200 participants, with all proceeds benefiting Las Positas’ student health and wellness programs. Student government President Angelo Mercado said the event’s turnout exceeded expectations. Mercado mentioned they were hoping for 100-150 participants but were shocked to see more than 200.
“One thing I really hope everyone sees is just how beautiful our campus community is — not just from our campus, but everyone around us in the Las Positas College area coming together to support a great cause of higher education, getting outside in this beautiful weather,” Mercado said.
“Yesterday it was raining, but today the clouds moved away just for us.”
For many participants, running or walking, the event provided an opportunity to connect with others and power through the hills. As participants crossed the finish line, many student government members cheered them on and congratulated each other.
“It’s really fun. After a while, you know, you might get tired, but it’s very liberating,” Las Positas student and fun-runner Jesse Broughton said. “The uphills are a battle, for sure. You meet a lot of good people, and everyone here is really nice. It’s a lot of great people running, and running with people is better than running alone, 100%.”
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TOP PHOTO: LPC’s President Foster pumps his fists in celebration as he races across the finish line at the LPC Run for Higher Education, March 29. The event was hosted to raise money for student and wellness programs on campus. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/ The Express)
Angelina An is a staff writer for The Express. Follow her on X, formally Twitter, @angiebee_919
