By Alexa Lewis
Runners waited anxiously at the starting line, stretching their arms and legs, adjusting their sweatbands and double-knotting their shoelaces. Some were dressed in ordinary running clothes, while others were dressed head to toe in full costume and their face made up like a calavera, or skull, to celebrate Día de los Muertos on Oct. 27.
The crowd of runners and spectators were ready at 6 p.m. sharp for the Día de los Muertos 5K Night Run to begin at Brackenridge Park. Runners brought children in strollers, dogs, family and friends to cheer them on for the annual Día de los Muertos race.
Día de los Muertos is a holiday that commemorates the dead on Nov 2. It’s a popular tradition for people to wear makeup transforming their face into a calavera, or skull, to honor the deceased.
“I like the costumes and it’s at night so I get to see all of the glow in the dark stuff,” said Beyra Chavez, 34, who painted her face in the calavera style.
This was Chavez’s second time running in the Día de los Muertos race.
Cecilia Iniguez, the creator and planner for the run, said, “I am a runner and I am from this small town in Michoacán, and there, the day of the dead is one of the biggest celebrations.”
She said, “People from all over the country and even from out of the country go to Michoacán and see how we celebrate el Día de los Muertos. It’s very unique, and this is the reason why I decided to combine running with my favorite holiday.”
Iniguez said the race benefits a middle school, Escuela Primaria Niñoso Heroes, located in Cuanajo Michoacán, Mexico, to promote running among children.
Before the race, the national anthem played. After, a voice yelled, “Go!” over the speaker and the runners were off.
The course was marked by glow sticks and three bikers led the way for the runners to follow; one biker in the front, one in the middle and one in the back.
Spectators waited in anticipation for who would win. People stood around the finish line with cameras ready in hand.
The lead biker came in to view and the crowd began to cheer. Just 15 minutes and 59 seconds after the race started, the first runner, Robert Wade — who wore no costume or makeup — dashed across the finish line.
Eric Burciaga, 25, crossed the finish line second, decked out in a full knight costume and carrying a plastic sword.
Asked if it was difficult to run while in costume, he said no.
“I feel good, it was fun,” Burciaga said.
The rest of the runners arrived, welcomed by the crowd of supporters cheering for them.
Once the last runner had crossed the finish line, there was a costume contest, music, food and drinks to celebrate.
Though many people were dressed to honor Día de los Muertos, many others were in Halloween costumes standing among the people in calavera makeup. Others ran wearing oversized hats and flowers in their hair.
“It’s different from a normal run,”Chavez said, “but it’s fun.”
