Sacramento’s Runnin’ for Rhett fitness festival adapts to heat to promote movement and community
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Runnin’ for Rhett’s summer fitness festival brought participants to Sacramento’s McKinley Park on Saturday, where they embraced movement and community despite the weekend’s hot weather.
“They can walk, they can do Zumba, they can do yoga, there’s an obstacle course,” said Karin Springer-Smith, a member of Runnin’ for Rhett.
The nonprofit group, founded nearly 20 years ago in honor of 7-year-old Rhett Seevers, who was born with severe, mobility-limiting cerebral palsy, aims to inspire youth and adults to embrace exercise and nutrition. Rhett’s parents created the organization to remind people that movement is a privilege.
“We really evolved into a group that does more than just running. We just move in honor of this little boy who was never able to walk or run,” Springer-Smith said.
The festival featured a morning of fun and fitness, with members donning powder blue shirts and stretch pants.
“It’s just a lot of fun. The energy, the atmosphere, the community. And this is probably one of the best events of the year,” said Will Hightower, a Runnin’ for Rhett member.
Rebecca Clark, a volunteer with the group, shared how the organization helps her stay motivated.
“When I’m looking for something to do or I’m not quite motivated on my own, I can join up in the group,” she said.
Hightower added, “It’s a great opportunity for people to get movement, to get healthy, and to just do something positive.”
Despite the heat, the event went on with adjustments to ensure comfort and safety.
“Our setup is purely in the shade, we have lots of water. It’s more of just do an activity and spend some time with your community in various parts of McKinley Park,” Springer-Smith said.
The festival also marked the kickoff to training season as members prepare for the Urban Cow Half Marathon and 5K.
“It’s the fact that we run for kids in our community. When we go to the races and see the kids and their faces and win their medals and how they get excited about it, you just want to come back every year,” Clark said.
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