An energetic group of parishioners, staff members and a team of altar servers — known as the Knights of the Holy Altar — from Holy Innocents Church and School in Long Beach put on their running shoes the morning of June 7 to participate in the seventh annual Wrigley River Run 5K.

The 5K community event began and ended in front of Holy Innocents School, as it has for the last five years. In addition to altar servers Omar Caldera, Osvaldo Caldera, Isaac Camarillo and Moises Marquez (who finished seventh overall), numerous school children ages 10 and under and their families took part in the 1K “Tadpole Trot” the same morning.

Both runs are presented by the Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation (LBNF), a not-for-profit organization committed to improving conditions for at-risk youths. By participating in the run, both as participants and volunteers, Holy Innocents School becomes eligible for the organization’s grant program (see www.lbfoundation.org/Sponsors.html).

“This was a great opportunity to get some exposure for a group of young dedicated men serving God who are also dedicated to their physical health and well-being,” said Dr. Elsa Garcia, a parishioner and local physician who sponsored the Knights of the Holy Altar team members.