UCR students run to honor Cesar Chavez
09:12 PM PDT on Sunday, April 5, 2009
Video: 8th annual Cesar E. Chavez 5K Run/Walk in Riverside
Miguel Najera’s decision to run in Saturday’s eighth annual Cesar E. Chavez 5K Run/Walk at UC Riverside was personal.
Najera, 32, who is working on a master’s degree in business administration at UCR, ran in honor of his mother, Isabel Najera.
"My mom — she came to this country like Cesar Chavez," said Najera. "She was a farmworker."
So was his grandmother, Maria Barracan.
The women spent more than 40 years as farmworkers, Najera said.
The 5K was one of two events in San Bernardino and Riverside counties honoring Chavez, who founded what became known as the United Farm Workers of America. He died April 23, 1993, at 66.
Along with the 5K, the city of San Bernardino, Youth Action Project and community volunteers honored Chavez by cleaning up Seccombe Lake Park in San Bernardino.
At UCR, the run/walk drew about 300 participants, said Alfredo Figueroa, assistant dean of students.
Saturday’s event was the largest in eight years.
Becci Diaz, 52, of Riverside, one of the walkers, said she works with Latinos as executive director of Community Settlement Association in Riverside and sees the importance of recognizing the accomplishments of Latinos such as Chavez.
"We need our heroes," Diaz said.
Christilily Chiu was among a group of 11 UCR student runners.
The 20-year-old student said they have been learning leadership skills similar to Chavez.
"We’re also here to show support for the community and the cause of the run," she said.
David Stewart, dean of the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management, cheered on 25 of his students.
"I’m here to give moral support," Stewart said.
James Sandoval, vice chancellor for student affairs, ran in the race and challenged the students.
"I told them I will pay $10 . . . (to) any student who beats me," Sandoval said.
Last year, 22 students did.
At Seccombe Lake Park, community members and AmeriCorps and Youth Action Project volunteers picked up shovels, rakes and trash bags to clean up the park bordering Fifth Street and Waterman Avenue.
Joseph Williams, chief executive officer of Youth Action Project, said this was the group’s second year with the project.
This year, 150 people volunteered, Williams said.
Youth Action Project helps young adults develop new skills through projects such as this one, Williams said.
Saturday’s event collected close to 100 bags of trash, said Luie Cisneros, a park maintenance worker for San Bernardino.
Reach Julie Farren at 951-368-9513 or jfarren@PE.com