Nearly 200 locals kicked off 2019 running, walking and jumping in the ocean at Pismo Beach Tuesday morning.
The third annual Pier to Plunge 5K is raising money for the 17 Strong Foundation, in memory of Ryan Teixeira. Tuesday’s race fees will go toward supporting young people who are battling serious illnesses.
Arroyo Grande native and running sensation, Jordan Hasay, was on hand to cheer on runners in Pismo. Hasay high-fived kids as they crossed the Tot Trot finish line, before the 5K race.
“Our goal with this race is just to kind of get the community going,” Hasay said. “It’s a good way to start out the New Year, happy, healthy, just coming together as a community.”
After finishing the 5K, runners took a refreshing dip in the Pacific to cool off.
Hasay didn’t run the 5K but tells KSBY she is back to running after recovering from an injury. She ran 10 miles earlier in the morning as part of her routine training.
“I was injured this whole past year but I still probably had as much fun and made as many memories as when I was successful because you’re just doing what you can every day to improve yourself,” she said.
Hasay finished third in the 2017 Boston Marathon, making history as the fastest-ever debut by an American woman. However, her injury caused her to pull out of several big races in 2018.
“I’m back to full mileage now and I’m just really grateful to start out the New Year healthy. I’ll be aiming for Boston in April again.”
She ran 10 miles before the Pier to Plunge event as part of her routine training.
Hasay is also training for the Olympic trials in February 2020 in hopes of making the USA Olympic team.
Hasay says she’s thankful to her hometown community for always cheering her on.
“Everyone has been really kind throughout my injury and with the comeback and throughout the many years of my running career so it’s a very special place to me.”
Hasay offered this advice for anyone making fitness-related New Year’s resolutions:
“Just start out slow and write your goals down. I keep a journal and that’s really helpful to lay it all our and have a plan. Just do the best you can every day, that’s all I say; that’s all anyone can do is to do their best. If you come up short, you come up short but you just have to enjoy the journey and if you know that you put in the work and made those steps, no matter what the outcome, you’re going to enjoy it. The main thing is, enjoy the journey and do your best.”
Hasay splits her time between the Central Coast and Oregon for training.
