CHICAGO – A celebratory 5k run filled 26th Street Sunday before the Mexican Independence Parade in Little Village.
Along with celebrating Mexican heritage, the El Grito 5k also focused on uniting all communities together for a good cause.
“I ran the 5k in about 20 minutes, 23 seconds,” 5k participant Javier Martinez said.
For Martinez, the race brought back good memories from when he grew up in Little Village.
“This is my old neighborhood. To come back and see how everything has changed, it’s so magnificent here in terms of culture,” he said.
From small children all the way up to senior citizens, race participants enjoyed the vibrant route. One participant said the run was good for his soul.
“There’s like people playing instruments while we’re running, mariachi’s like that turn at the arch, which they just finished renovating,” 5k participant Gerardo Limon said. “I was energized. I was a little tired, but it pepped me up.”
Organizers said the sold out event honoring Mexican Independence Day attracted people from all walks of life.
“I think that this is the message of the Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s about friendship, about love, about working together, being together. In Spanish, they say, ‘Together we’re stronger,’ and I believe this is why we’re here today,” said Counsel General of Israel to the Midwest Yinam Cohen.