10th Annual Día de los Muertos 5K Run/ Walk set for Oct. 28

Come celebrate the Day of the Dead with the 10th Annual Día de los Muertos 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run on Oct. 28 at Hernandez Elementary School, 333 Stagecoach Trail.

Día de los Muertos is a traditional cultural holiday occuring in November that has been observed around the world for hundreds of years. This 5K commemorates the holiday by posthumously honoring a local San Marcos citizen who has contributed to the community before they died. This year’s honoree is John Diaz, a successful businessman who served the San Marcos community in many capacities.

Registration for the Día de los Muertos 5K Run/Walk is open now. Adults aged 19 years and up are $35 each. Students and youth ages 11 - 18 are $25. Team pricing is available for groups of 5 adults at $125. T-shirts in the runner’s size are guaranteed through Sunday, Oct. 15. Runners are encouraged to join in the spirit of the holiday by dressing in their favorite Day of the Dead running gear.

New for 2023, children ages 1 - 10 years run free (no t-shirt included) and will receive a treat bag for participating. To register, visit athleteguild.com/event/ san-marcos-tx/2023-dia-de-los-muertos- 5k-runwalk-kids-fun-run.

Race Day Schedule

7 a.m. - Packet pickup and onsite registration

7:30 a.m. - Opening Remarks

7:45 a.m. - Group warm up

8 a.m. - 5K Run/Walk

9 a.m. - Kids Fun Run

9:30 a.m. - Awards ceremony

All proceeds for the Día de los Muertos 5K Run/ Walk benefit the Johnnie T. Rosales Memorial Scholarship (johnniejam. org), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which awards annual scholarships to selected San Marcos High School graduating seniors.

Contrary to popular belief, Día de los Muertos does not celebrate death. Quite the opposite, it is a day to honor and remember the lives of family and friends who have died. Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes. A common symbol is the skull “calavera” or La Calavera Catrina (the elegant skull). The print was originally created by Jose Guadalupe Posada and is now the predominant figure that is associated with Day of the Dead. Catrina serves to remind people that material things are only temporary and are not that important because in the end, all that is left is the skeleton. The San Marcos Día de los Muertos 5K offers a partner for Catrina, our own local “Juanito.” Juanito serves to remind us to live life now because tomorrow is not promised and that death can happen at any time, to anyone.