“I have been running since I was in elementary school back in Panama. Running means a lot to me — it’s an activity that I do to clear my mind. Just being out in the woods or on the street refreshes my soul. Now I do it with my daughter Lisette, who will be 17 on May 11, and it’s a way for us to have some time together.”
Irianis Lopez Hurtado
Meet Irianis Lopez Hurtado, 40, who enjoys taking part in her city’s Tulip Time Run, returning in person one week from today in Holland, Mich. “My plans for this year are a little bit different — I will be walking the 5K run with my almost 2-year-old baby, Jimmy,” says Irianis. “My hope is to get in better shape so I can run the 5K next year.”
The Tulip Time Festival Run is Saturday, May 7 and offers a distance for everyone: 10K, 5K, kids fun run, and a virtual option.
“Tulip Time Run for me marks the beginning of summer and is about gathering with family and friends,” says Irianis, who moved to Grand Rapids from Panama in 1997. She moved to Holland after graduating from Grand Rapids Community College and since 2006 has worked for Boar’s Head, where she serves as the accounting supervisor.
“Now that I’m a little bit older, races are more about trying to get healthy and have a good time — whether I walk it or run — rather than it being competitive.”
Happy running to Irianis and everyone taking part in the Tulip Time Run next weekend! And if you haven’t yet signed up for this awesome event, which is part of the weeklong Tulip Time Festival, use the code 22TULIPTIME7 to take $7 off your race entry. Register here.
