HARLINGEN — The rain couldn’t stop Andrew Orozco from running for a good cause.
“We’re raising money for Sunny Glen,” said Andrew, 12, who came in third place yesterday morning at the 6th Annual Incredible Kidz 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.
About 200 runners gathered at McKelvey Park for the event, and they seemed oblivious to the steady rain in the annual fundraiser for Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito.
“It’s a good turnout,” said Yolanda Saldivar, community relations for Sunny Glen.
She was equally undaunted by the rain, which was quickly soaking the park and creating mud puddles.
“We’ve got our sponsors, our volunteers,” she said. “We are going to do it.”
Everyone seemed excited about the run.
“Sunny Glen is a wonderful Christian organization,” said the Rev. Bill Reagan, who ran the 5K.
“I come to support the nonprofits, we’re all in the same position,” said Reagan, who is executive director of Loaves and Fishes.
Runners ranged from senior citizens to children like 6-year-old Dalila. Her mother Monica Mendiola brought her from Rio Hondo to participate in the 1 Mile run.
“It was good,” said Mendiola. “We want to include her in these kinds of things. This is the second one she’s done.”
While the rain didn’t stop the runners, it did make things difficult.
“It was slippery,” said Andrew.
“When you go down it’s easy, but when you go back up it’s slippery,” added his brother Freddy, 14, who came in first place.
“I was a little nervous at the beginning,” Freddy added. “And then I thought, ‘No, I’m just going to run it,’ so I kept my pace.’”
That pace earned him the first place medal, although some weren’t so eager to concede.
“I was going to win, but I didn’t want to embarrass him,” said his friend Albert Vasquez, 13, who came in second.
“Yeah, right,” said Freddy with a laugh.
