Teen helps community get on the right foot, fitness-wise

When Sarah Owen broke her leg in eighth grade, she faced intense physical therapy to recover. It was then that the 17-year-old Clayton girl decided she wanted to be a physical therapist, and dedicate her life to helping people stay physically fit.

“My recovery time was extensive and my physical therapist ended up being a huge role model in my life,” she says. “Ever since that incident, I have been set on becoming a physical therapist and for my career to inspire others to work hard and get well.”  

Sarah is jump-starting her career goals by organizing the first Clayton 5K Run and Fitness Fair on Saturday, July 19 at Clayton Community Park. She is putting on the event as a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award.

“The most rewarding thing about Girl Scouts is that we always get to give back to our community,” she says. “I have always believed that community service is essential and extremely rewarding,” says the Clayton Valley Charter High School senior, who is a member of her school’s Public Service Academy.

There is no registration fee for the run, but canned food donations will be accepted at check-in for the Food Bank of Solano and Contra Costa Counties. The first 50 people who register will receive a prize, Sarah says.

“The goal of the 5K is to encourage residents to get up and move and learn that exercise can be fun, especially when you do it with others,” Sarah says. “The Fitness Fair promotes businesses and activities that advocate for healthy living and will help educate my community about what is available to them.”

It will include booths from fitness and sports organizations, demonstrations of yoga and Zumba, Hands-on CPR training from CERT and a Kids’ Zone with fun fitness activities for the younger crowd.

Sarah says that she has been working on the event for more than a year, and at times was worried that it wasn’t coming together. “But in the last few weeks everything seemed to click,” she says.

She says she has received tremendous support from city officials, friends and family, especially family friend Sharon Cuff. She is also being supported by members of her longtime Girl Scout Troop.

Sarah gives a shout-out to Mayor Hank Stratford, council member Julie Pierce, and Assistant City Manager Laura Hoffmeister for helping her put on a community-wide event. She is also getting support from Coldwell Banker, Sports Basement and All-Out Sports.

Check-in for the race will be held at 7:15 on the morning of the race, with a 8 a.m. scheduled start. Racers can preregister at www.clayton5krun.weebly.com, but she says you don’t have to run the race to enjoy the fitness fair.