On Saturday, October 5th, the city of Cypress held its much-anticipated annual 5K run/walk, which is a 3.1-mile race bringing residents together to celebrate fitness, camaraderie, and civic pride. Participants of all ages joined the event, which featured appearances from notable city figures, volunteers, and community leaders.
Cross-country runner at Cypress High School Aryav Sheth participated in the race and shared his insight about the event; “The Cypress 5K was honestly a really fun experience. I do cross country, so it wasn’t new to me, but it was great to see people of all ages competing. Watching different age groups train and participate was inspiring. It was also cool to see city officials join in.” Reflecting on his performance, Sheth said, “I’m happy with my result. I know I gave it my all, and based on the competition, I was satisfied with my time—it was a personal record (PR) for me. The race started at 7 a.m., and the cool morning weather felt great without the sun beating down. The course was straightforward—just flat asphalt with only a 7-8 feet elevation gain, which was much easier compared to other courses with lots of turns and elevation changes. Running a 5K is a great experience. You might discover you have a talent for it, want to join a team, or just enjoy running with friends—it’s always worth trying something new.”
Among the runners was Mayor Scott Minikus, who reflected on his experience running the race “I came out with my niece, her husband, and my grandniece,” said Minikus. “They took off ahead of me, so I had to jog to catch up, which was tough at first, but by the 1/8th mile, I hit my stride. When we reached Orange Avenue, my niece’s husband tried to sprint—and I smoked him!” he added with a laugh.
Beyond the fun, Minikus praised the city departments for their hard work. “Our parks and recreation and public works teams brought everything together. October is a perfect time for events like this, just before the holiday season kicks in. It’s incredible how well our staff performs with limited resources, keeping everything organized and our city running smoothly.” Minikus also highlighted Cypress’s achievements as a city. “We’re in excellent financial health, with $150 million in reserve, and we’ve just been named the 19th safest city in California out of nearly 400 cities. Cypress’s strength is in its people—we’re a small city, but we’re mighty.”
Volunteer Sophie Tomooka enjoyed cheering on participants. “I just handed out water and provided a friendly face and just said good job at the end which is really what racers want to hear. I like volunteering at races that support a good cause.”
Race announcer Rudy Novotny, who has covered nearly 1,600 races across the country over 25 years, praised the community spirit of the Cypress 5K. “This event has been running for about 25 years, and it really captures the essence of a small-town race,” Novotny said. “Cypress is a beautiful place, and it’s amazing to see so many people from the community come out to walk and run. It has a unique, close-knit atmosphere.”
