Labor Day a race for some, relaxing for others

By Cece Cannata,
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–

Labor Day, the first Monday of September, is a holiday celebrated as a tribute to the achievements of American workers.

According to the United States Department of Labor, the holiday was first celebrated in New York in 1882. It spread from there, and by 1885 Labor Day was commemorated in many industrial cities throughout the United States.

At Davis High, Labor Day is honored by students and staff taking the day off and enjoying a three-day weekend.

Sophomore Sammie Needham took the weekend to train in Lake Tahoe with her swim team, the Davis Aquadarts.

“It was nice to get out of Davis and spend time with my team,” Needham said.

Junior Brendan Carsel also attended the training trip, and feels that Labor Day is “a day where you can relax after working all year.”

Many students also stayed in Davis, which held the 19th annual Labor Day Race. The race was hosted by the Golden Valley Harriers running club, a non-profit Davis organization that promotes running in the community.

GVH member Jim Young has been part of the club since 2008 and part of the race committee since 2009. According to Young, the race raises money for local running events and cross-country teams in the area.

There is also a cultural exchange program between Davis and its Japanese sister city Inuyama. Every year, Japanese runners come to participate in the race, and in return, the Golden Valley Harriers get to send runners to compete in the Inuyama City Marathon 5K race.

GVH has provided the Davis High cross-country team with many donations over the years, and in gratitude, each year team members either participate in the annual race or volunteer by monitoring the course, cheering and directing traffic.

Cross-country member and junior Jackson Laird ran in the race this year, for his second time.

“I had a great time,” Laird said. “It was awesome seeing my teammates cheering for me too.”

Junior Sofia Castiglioni, who chose to volunteer, also enjoyed the experience.

“For once we are supporters instead of runners, and we can offer the encouragement that we always receive at our races,” Castiglioni said.

This year, there was a new addition to the races, called the “Doggie Dash.” Runners or walkers had the opportunity to bring their pups along with them.

At 7:45 a.m., owners and dogs, from greyhounds to mini poodles, were behind the start line ready to begin.

“I didn’t run in [the Doggie Dash], but I was there when it started and I loved seeing all the dogs. Everyone seemed to be having a good time,” Laird said.

The Doggie Dash involved the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and raised money for a program known as the “Faithful Partners Fund,” which helps with veterinary care for service dogs injured in the line of duty.