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They ran for a good cause

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Contributed by: Carol Roseman on 6/14/2008

Five-hundred-and-sixty-eight runners took to the streets in Woodland Hills for the 5K and 10K Optimist Dad's Day Dashand 21 chidren for the Kiddie Fun Run on Saturday, June 14.

The cause - to raise money for the UCLA Mattel Children's Cancer Program and the Kid's Cancer Connection.

One runner, 16-year-old Spencer Howell, an El Camino High School sophomore, ran because he was very grateful for the support his family received during the many times his brother was a patient at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital and he wanted to give something back.

He turned in $504 in pledges at the start of the race. The hospital's unique brain cancer treatment needs funds so it can continue developing the vaccine the kills brain cancer cells in its young patients.

Besides supporting the cause, others participated for the competition or just for the pleasure of running or walking. Some runners ran as teams or parent and child.

Families ran together. Some ran with children in strollers. Others, with their dog. The Optimist Dad's Day Dash is a family friendly event, the perfect way for families to celebrate Fathers Day in a healthy way while supporting a great cause.

Caren Ware of Prime Time said that participants told her they liked the flat course, the option between a 5K or a 10K race, that the race started on time and early, before it got hot. Many fans were able to have their pictures taken with Darth Vader, Red Warrior and two Stormtroopers, who gave the day a festive flair.

The male overall winner was Jose Arias. The female overall winner was Dot Silverman. Justin Cross came in first place in the 10K.

The Dash was enjoyed by all and the expo had lots vendors so everyone took home lots of goodies.

By noon, Warner Center Park was empty and the Optimist Dash was just a distant memory, until next year.

Race results can be found online at www.resultsbyprimetime.com or www.w2promo.com.

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