Hernandez Elementary hosts 10th Annual Dia de los Muertos 5K

By Lou Wharton

Blog Content Contributor

On Saturday, Oct. 28, runners and walkers alike can join the 10th Annual Dia de los Muertos 5K Run/Walk event, hosted at Hernandez Elementary in San Marcos. This run isn’t just for adults – there will also be a Kid’s Fun Run going on at the same time, making this an event that’s fun for the whole family.

The Dia de los Muertos 5K is organized to help the local community celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. On Dia de los Muertos, people spend time praying for and remembering family and friends who have passed. It’s a way to celebrate life, as well as honor the dead. The Dia de los Muertos 5K offers many opportunities to participate in the celebration, such as sponsoring a “memory board” to honor friends and family which will be displayed at the race. Additionally, runners can display the names and photos of loved ones on a large Day of the Dead altar. Participants are also encouraged to dress up, and there will be photo opportunities with the mascots of the Dia de los Muertos 5K, Catarina and Juanito.

But that isn’t the only way that the Dia de los Muertos 5K is helping the community. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship, a nonprofit organization that helps provide scholarships to San Marcos High School seniors.

The Dia de los Muertos 5K will begin bright and early at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28th. During this time, participants will be allowed to pick up their packets and register onsite as necessary. This will be followed by Opening Remarks at 7:30 a.m. There will be a group warm-up at 7:45 a.m. and then the fun really begins. The 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Kids Fun Run at 9:00 a.m. Awards will be handed out at 9:30 a.m.

Entry fees for the 5K Run/Walk are $35 for ages 19 and above, and $25 for ages 11 to 18. The Kids Fun Run is free for children ages 1 to 10.

The Dia de los Muertos 5K will be held at Hernandez Elementary School, on 333 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas. The run will be held rain or shine unless there are extreme weather conditions. In that case, the race will be canceled, and no refunds will be issued. However, there will be an effort made for those who signed up to still receive their runner tees and swag bags.

More information can be found on the Athlete Guild website. Interested individuals can also follow the Dia de los Muertos 5K on Facebook or Twitter/X.