Clovis keeps Memorial Day tradition running

Each year Clovis Senior Activity Center pays a special tribute to veterans and active military by honoring their legacy with the annual Memorial Run on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Part of the event is a resource fair and involves vendors from all kinds of different businesses in the community.

The run attracts both serious and casual athletes, as well as families and children. It consists of a 5K run or walk, a non-timed 2-mile walk and a non-timed half-mile kids run in addition to a non-timed half-mile senior walk and roll. To register, please visit www.ClovisMemorialRun.com. Prices increase after May 8.

“The response [to the race] is always exciting.” said event coordinator Amy Hance with the City of Clovis. “I believe it is because our community values service. We value our service members and I know people take it as an opportunity to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty and who have kept our nation free.”

Ollie Smith, 92, was the eldest competitor in this event since its opening run in 2011. In 2022, Smith walked in the half-mile senior walk and roll to honor all of those in our community. Ollie passed away in June 2022 just weeks after attending the memorial run. She will be missed this year and every year in the future. The race was important to her and held a lot of significance.

This is the twelfth year for the run and Hance said the success of it continues to grow. Registration includes a pancake breakfast, a swag bag, and a nice finisher medal to keep as a memento. Those who register also receive an event T-shirt that has the Clovis Memorial Run logo on the front and platinum and gold-level sponsors on the back. But that’s not it, participants also have a chance to win selected prizes from contributing vendors.

All proceeds benefit activities provided at the Clovis Senior Center. Some of the community partners that help put on the event include Clovis Veterans Memorial District, Clovis Unified School District, Clovis East High School ROTC, Clovis Chorale Choir, California International Order of the Rainbow Girls, and the Clovis Kiwanis Club.

“It is our whole community helping to make this event a success and we want to thank our sponsors and partners for their support.” Hance said. “The success is an indicator of the flavor of our community and what we value.”

Clovis Senior Center, located at 850 Fourth Street in Clovis, will host a free health and wellness fair in its main hall on July 12, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

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