The Tiger Run: How a Community Shows Up in South Pasadena

Every city has its traditions — the ones that quietly say, this is who we are.
In South Pasadena, one of those traditions happens on a cool December morning, when neighbors lace up their running shoes, students line the sidewalks, and the city moves together with a shared purpose.

The South Pasadena Tiger Run isn’t just a race. It’s a living snapshot of South Pasadena values: education, wellness, family, and collective pride.

A Run Rooted in Community

Members of the Tiger Run Committee

Held annually in early December, the Tiger Run brings together hundreds of participants across generations — from competitive runners chasing personal bests to families walking alongside elementary-age kids in the fun run.

Organized in support of South Pasadena High School, the event directly benefits school programs while reinforcing something equally important: visible, tangible community support for public education.

This is the kind of event where:

• Parents volunteer before dawn

• Students cheer on runners from the curb

• Alumni return year after year

• Teachers, neighbors, and local leaders run side by side

It’s not performative. It’s participatory.

Tiger Run 2025: The Results & the Energy

Holy Family Alumni : Joseph Saldana & Mayor Janet Braun

The 2025 Tiger Run, held in early December, continued the tradition with strong turnout and standout performances across all divisions.

Top Finishers – 2025

5K Men

• Kai Tilley

• Dylan Shugg

5K Women

• Liz Anderson

• Sabrina Zavala

10K Men

• Luis Gutierrez

• Kai Dettman

10K Women

• Melanie Romo

• Kate Beach

Beyond the podium, the real story unfolded throughout the course: families pushing strollers, kids sprinting the final stretch, and longtime residents reconnecting mid-mile.

For those interested in full race data, detailed results are archived on platforms like Athlinks and RunSignup, and coverage of the day can be found via South Pasadenan, which documented the turnout and community spirit leading up to race day.

More Than Miles: Why the Tiger Run Matters

In a time when the community can feel fragmented, the Tiger Run is a reminder that place still matters — and so does showing up.

This event reinforces several core pillars of South Pasadena life:

• Support for Public Schools
  Proceeds benefit South Pasadena High School, directly tying community engagement to student opportunity.

• Health & Wellness as a Shared Value
  Fitness here isn’t exclusive or intimidating. It’s collective, inclusive, and welcoming.

• Intergenerational Connection
  Few events naturally bring together kids, parents, grandparents, students, and alumni in one morning.

• Civic Pride Without Pretense
  No big production. No flash. Just neighbors doing something meaningful together.

Why We Highlight Events Like This at South Pasadena Social Club

At South Pasadena Social Club, our mission has always been to document and celebrate the moments that quietly define this city.

Not just the headlines — but the rituals.
Not just what’s new — but what endures.

The Tiger Run is one of those moments.

It tells a deeper story about why people choose to live here, raise families here, and stay connected long after they’ve moved away. It’s a reminder that community isn’t abstract — it’s built mile by mile, year by year, together.

Looking Ahead

As South Pasadena continues to grow and evolve, traditions like the Tiger Run serve as anchors — grounding us in shared values while welcoming new neighbors into the fold.

Whether you ran the 10K, walked the 5K, volunteered at a water station, or cheered from the sidewalk, you were part of something larger than a race.

And that’s what makes it worth celebrating.