The Carlsbad 5000 is known as the “World’s Fastest 5K” and is one of the most iconic races in San Diego County. Sixteen world records have been set on the oceanfront course, plus multiple national records and age group bests.
Over the years, the race has attracted some of the biggest names in running, from Deena Kastor to San Diego native Meb Keflezighi. Meb personally celebrated the return of the Carlsbad 5000 after a two-year break by signing books, handing out medals, and running “The People’s Race” alongside non-competitive runners from all over the world.
Still I Run Partners with Local Businesses at the Carlsbad 5000
Thanks to the generosity of Carlsbad 5000 sponsor Engel & Völkers Carlsbad, Still I Run received a complimentary charity booth on the day of the race. Engel & Völkers Carlsbad owners Lindsey and Trevor Smith consistently champion mental health, with Lindsey recently raising money for The Trevor Project and participating in Still I Run San Diego events.
My husband Cory worked the booth with me from dawn until the last runner crossed the finish line. Cory is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the owner of Integrity Counseling Group. His practice employs 11 therapists throughout San Diego County and has sponsored several Still I Run events and programs, including the May Run Streak and Still I Run San Diego.
Bringing Together Running and Mental Health
Equipped with free candy and Still I Run temporary tattoos, Cory and I met more than 250 people, many of whom personally experience the benefits of running for mental health. A few people already knew about Still I Run! The national organization also received about $150 in donations.
Most exciting for me, we spread the word about Still I Run San Diego, the local chapter that I started last summer. Our group meets every Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos, California, a suburb in North County San Diego. We also learned there is a lot of interest in starting a regular Still I Run San Diego event further south!
Why Still I Run Matters to Me Personally
I have been involved with Still I Run since 2018, when I found the organization while training for my second half marathon. Unfortunately, I have dealt with multiple non-running injuries since mid-2019, so my running habit has been spotty at best during the pandemic.
As I recently ran (a very slow) two miles through my neighborhood, I reflected on how many times I’ve had to restart my fitness program over the past couple of years. I can honestly say that without encouragement from Still I Run and my local chapter members, I would have given up on running for mental health long ago.
Christine Anderson is a mental health advocate and runner from San Diego, California. She is the captain of Still I Run San Diego and a 2022 Still I Run Ambassador. You can follow her mental health journey on Instagram at @themoodninja, where she also posts about running, raising chickens, and dog training.
