The Annual Citrus Heritage Run, organized by Riverside Road Runners, took place last Saturday at Arlington Heights Sports Park. The event celebrates the city’s citrus history with a half-marathon, 10 K, and 5 K run through the orange groves lined with citrus trees. This event is also a way to help raise funds for youth running programs while showcasing the California Citrus State Historic Park. 

The event also offers fresh orange juice after the run, along with other post-run festivities, including food and shaved ice. They also invite many schools in the area to have students either volunteer or participate in the race themselves, such as Brandon Lee, a Novie Senior who is in cross country, with this being his 2nd participating year in the run. He signed up with many goals in mind, determined to accomplish them,  such as his run time.

“I beat my time of 2:12 down to 1:37 minutes. I signed up due to my ultimate goal of running a full marathon by graduation in honor of the class of 26, since the marathon is also 26 miles,” Lee said

He recommends the half-marathon run if you’re up for the challenge.“The half-marathon is a fun distance; it’s not too long nor too short, but it still requires discipline and mental toughness.” Lee said