DAY OF THE DEAD RUN/WALK FESTIVALS

SUGAR SKULLS, ALTARS, CEMETERIES, MESOAMERICAN CULTURE AND RUNNING!
Have you heard of the central and southern Mexico festival, “El Dia de los Muertos”, or “The Day of the Dead”, celebrated November 1 and 2 of each year?  The festival coincides with the Roman Catholic feasts of All Saints Day (11/1) and All Souls Day (11/2) which follow Halloween on October 31 (All Hallows Eve).  According to the website MexicanSugarSkulls.com, the holiday is a combination of ancient beliefs about honoring the dead and the Catholic feast days, celebrated by the indigenous people living in that part of Mexico.
 
As a young girl I remember celebrating the ‘Saints” and “Souls’ Days of November in church praying with my mother. As an adult I try to continue the tradition because it’s a reminder of the Polish-Catholic culture of my childhood, a throwback memory.
 
Given the current appetite in the USA for the undead of all types and origins, this festival seems an ideal occasion to enjoy another good scare.  Like the delicious fright generated by virus-induced zombies of “World War Z” movie, post-apocalyptic, pathogen-born “Walking Dead” of Netflix fame, and the White Walker-created wights in the “Game of Thrones” HBO series based on George RR Martin’s literary invention.
 
 Alternately, it seems likely that some would come to embrace a festival celebrating the beloved deceased whom we dearly miss.
 
These tradition-rich Latino holy days have the inherent mysticism, beauty, and heart to bring people of all cultures together in many ways. Some will prefer to center their activities at altars and in cemeteries in the time-honored ways. Other will march in parades, enjoy delicious food, dress in costume, or express themselves artistically. And runners and walkers will create races!
 
In October 2015 I scoured the internet for Dias de los Muertos-related races; there were a few.  In 2016, I noticed an attempt to raise awareness, outside of the ethnic communities, of celebrations that included foot races. In 2017, the number of events increased. This year, Active.com is managing a series of events in several cities (Chicago, Hammond IN, Los Angeles).

• In Chicago, the 12th Annual UNO Carrera de los Muertos 5k Race of the Dead will take participants through the Pilsen neighborhood, October 28, 2018 (the untimed adult and youth races have sold out as of this writing).
• The Houston Fun Run courses through the Buffalo Bayou park and Glenwood Cemetery, October 28.
• The city of Raleigh, NC will host the 7th Annual Day of the Dead 5K and Street Festival October 27.
• San Antonio TX is holding the 8th Annual Dia de los Muertes Night Run October 27.

 
I think this celebration, a holy day for some, is becoming a holiday celebration for many more, which promises to generate additional run/walk events. Images on race organization websites show there are opportunities to run in costume and face-paint; runners are famous for wanting to express their creativity and sense of style in this manner. In some instances, prizes are promised for those judged “best”.
 
My prediction in 2016 that there would be an increasing number of novel, Dia de los Muertos-themed competitions in the coming years seems to be trending true. Cities in Texas, the southwestern USA, and in the north with large Latino populations have lead the movement, by establishing annual events years ago.
 
Some endurance races may eventually be planned that extend over several days to encompass the entire October 31 - through- November 2 time period (or more convenient weekend dates preceding or following the exact days, like the 4 day series in Las Cruces NM that starts October 25 and ends October 28, 2018 ). https://www.deadrunning.net/day-of-the-dead-series/
 
The DDLM event in South Beach OR has been changed from a 5k fun run to a serious endurance event that can extend to a period of 2, 4, 6, 12, or 24 hours.
Prior to starting, participants can visit an ofrenda (altar) at the start/finish line to “honor their ancestors and loved ones passed on” and leave “flowers, fruits, trinkets, and written messages”, providing a “unique layer of depth, gratitude, and purpose to their endurance run from start to finish.”
 
The website indicates that the “run's finish will be celebrated with an interactive performance of traditional Aztec dance by Huecha Omeyocan, a McMinnville-based group who shares the rich cultural practices of prehispanic Mesoamerican peoples through dance and music.”
 
With the rise in popularity of grueling obstacle course and “sufferfest”-like events, organizers may begin to incorporate punishing elements In DDLM competitions.  Early November weather may be cooler, wetter, and inclement but not yet wintery in the northern hemisphere, and thus perfect for completing a toughing workout.
 
Mostly, as the trend shows, there will be short, happy, family run/walk races held to celebrate a beautiful cultural feast, as more of us are given a chance to gain understanding and appreciation of another ethnic tradition.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html

https://www.active.com/chicago-il/running/distance-running-races/uno-carrera-de-los-muertos-race-of-the-dead-5k-2018 
 
https://www.active.com/los-angeles-ca/running/distance-running-races/carrera-de-los-muertos-los-angeles-2018

http://dayofthedead5k.com/
 
http://huaracheturbo.com/event_muertitos_run.php
 
http://houstonfunruns.com/
 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dia-de-los-muertos-dash-tickets-49427680523
 
https://www.everfest.com/seasonal/dia-de-los-muertos-festivals
 
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=58909
 
https://www.deadrunning.net/day-of-the-dead-series/