LONG BEACH, Calif. – On Sunday, nearly 2,000 runners will hit the campus of UCLA in the sixth annual We Run the City Rivalry Race presented by The Smile Generation. The 5K/10K is in support of Special Olympics Southern California and its more than 31,400 athletes.
However, We Run The City is a lot more than just a road race. For UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Challenge for Charity (C4C), it is a way to promote inclusion while also getting to play football against their rival, USC.
Students from UCLA’s C4C will lead the Bruins unified flag football team on to the field this Sunday for the annual Rivalry Series Unified Flag Football game. They will take on the unified team from the USC Marshall School of Business for more bragging rights on a day celebrating Special Olympics Southern California and the storied rivalry of the two Southern California institutions.
Special Olympics athletes will join students from both MBA programs to make up the unified teams. The game is presented by University Credit Union and start time is set for 9:30 a.m.
“What impacts us the most is the skill and determination of the Special Olympic athletes, their excitement and passion for the sport, and the ability of the Special Olympics organization to incorporate us into their sport,” said UCLA Anderson School of Management CLC Co-President Kathryn Corcoran. “It is a really great day, filled with fun activities, and a great opportunity to meet other passionate volunteers.”
For Corcoran and C4C, It’s more than a football game.
“Being a part of Unified Sports means that we get to be a part of a great organization that promotes inclusion and joins people both with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team,” said Corcoran. “Also, through competition, we are proud to promote activities that allow us to bring people together from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities.”
UCLA Anderson’s Challenge for Charity (C4C) is the largest charitable organization at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. And it shows in the fundraising challenge for We Run The City, as UCLA C4C has raised nearly $6,500 for the fundraiser.
“We are excited to play a role in helping to bring awareness to the great organization, SOSC. It is a privilege to be able to play with the Special Olympics athletes and compete against fellow MBA students at USC,” said Corcoran. “We are involved in this event because we want to support SOSC while also learning more about how we can continue to play an increasing role in the organization going forward.”
We Run The City will be held at Wilson Plaza on the UCLA campus and caps off rivalry week, one day after the UCLA vs. USC football game. Official timing will be carried out as students, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans compete for bragging rights and the We Run the City trophy. UCLA won the event last year.
Interested participants register online at www.WeRunTheCity.com and declare their allegiance for UCLA or USC. Registration includes a Team UCLA or USC event T-shirt and a finisher’s medal presented by a Special Olympics athlete. Registration and packet pick-up opens at 6:30 am. This year’s race features a 5K Run/Walk, a 10K Run, a Virtual Race (learn more HERE) and the Kids’ Run presented by University Credit Union.
ABOUT CHALLENGE 4 CHARITY
Last year, Anderson C4C raised over $47,000 and volunteered more than 5,000 hours for its three select charities: Special Olympics, Junior Achievement and Project ECHO. UCLA Anderson is one of nine West Coast business schools in the MBA Challenge for Charity organization that competes annually for the coveted Golden Briefcase. The competition comprises fundraising, volunteerism and the annual Sports Weekend hosted at Stanford University each April.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports, health, and leadership programs. Special Olympics helps athletes become more independent, build self-esteem, and live healthier lives. They inspire people to open their hearts and create more accepting and inclusive communities. All Special Olympics programs are free to the athletes and their families. Special Olympics Southern California has earned a 4-star ranking from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards. This ranking is the highest Charity Navigator offers to an organization and is given because Special Olympics has demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency. Learn more at www.sosc.org.