Runners, walkers take to the trails at Springs Preserve

By Mytae Carrasco

Saturday, March 21, 2009 | 5:45 p.m.

Temperatures in the 60s and clear skies brought a fitting welcome to the spring season Saturday morning as 1,159 participants enjoyed walking or running along the trails for the Run Away with Cirque Du Soleil event at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas.

“I think it’s great! It’s a wonderful way to start the weekend off. The Springs Preserve is really our Central Park,” said a cheerful Mayor Oscar Goodman.

People of all ages enjoyed the music, face painting, and especially the colorful Cirque Du Soleil characters who helped get the crowd pumped up for the 5K race and 1 mile fun walk.

Henderson resident Tim Olson said, “The Cirque characters were great throughout the whole race. They’re really helping you and guiding you in the right direction and at the end really cheering you on, which really helps a lot.”

For many participants, the event was an opportunity to enjoy the Springs Preserve environment in a fun and healthy way. “It brings families out because it’s more than just a race,” said Patty Velasquez who brought her grandchildren to participate in the festivities.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from Saturday’s event goes towards the Springs Preserve Foundation. The foundation creates field trip opportunities for students, new exhibits and new outreach projects.

“It’s very important that it (Springs Preserve) succeed and to get folks out here and have Cirque partner with the Foundation is very special,” said Mayor Goodman.

The Cirque Du Soleil and Springs Preserve partnership is a winning formula in educating the public and promoting awareness of environmental issues.

“It is the perfect partnership because of what we each bring. The mission of the Springs Preserve focuses on culture and sustainability. The opportunity to present the world situation on World Water Day is a great opportunity for us to reach out to more of the public than we can without having a special event,” said Marcel Parent, Education and Volunteers Program Manager for the Springs Preserve.

“Being entrenched in community events is part of our (Cirque Du Soleil’s) genetic code,” said Karen Gay, Global Citizenship Director of Cirque Du Soleil. “The citizenship of our employees is fully on display today.”

“It’s incredible, this is the first event that I’ve done like this and it's fun. They get energy and I get energy and it’s just good,” said Tal Iozef, ensemble dancer for Cirque Du Soleil’s LOVE.

“The event was born from the minds of our employees and their volunteerism eight years ago, so it’s just all apart of our entire citizenship,” Gay said.

More than 200 Springs Preserve and Cirque Du Soleil people volunteered at the event.

The event raised $46,000 for the Springs Preserve Foundation.