The Poly cross country team capped off the summer with another wildly successful Bun Run fundraiser on Saturday, August 30 at Los Cerritos Park.
Both the boys and girls cross country team use the Bun Run as their only fundraising event for the year. The event consisted of a team time trial, a community 5K run/walk, a pancake breakfast, and a prize raffle. This year, the team was able to raise over $14,000 for the upcoming season.
“The last few years, the parents have really pitched in the make it a great event,” said Mike Fillipow, the boys head coach. “But, it was really about the runners.”
The event’s success was highly based on the support and generosity of the athlete’s parents who donated both time and supplies. Many were at the park before sunrise to help the coaches set up. Others came later to help work the booths and serve the food.
The Bun Run was originally named for the cinnamon buns the team would bring to share at their final time trial for the summer before the start of the official racing season. It has grown and evolved greatly from that point to a massive community event that, this year, saw over 650 people come out and support the team Saturday morning while many more supported by buying raffle tickets.
“It was cool doing the Bun Run for the sixth time and being part of the supportive and expansive community that surrounds the cross country team! The pancakes were a plus too,” said alumni Lan Nguyen.
The Poly cross country program has been holding the Bun Run for over 20 years now and it has seen its fair share of familiar faces. Alumni and former cross country parents enjoy coming back each year to catch up over fitness and food.
“It was fun running this course for the past 4 years. This is one of the courses that I can count on because it hasn’t changed,” said senior captain Matt Oca.
The boys will be racing again tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, at the Fastback Shootout held on the Mt. SAC cross country course while the girls will be in Cerritos at the Great Cow Run.
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