Rez Rally Reaches Highest Turnout Yet

Hollywood Reservation Takes the Trophy

By Janice Billie

HOLLYWOOD — Jan. 21 marked a couple of firsts for the Hollywood Seminole community. It was the first time Hollywood hosted the Rez Rally and the first time they took home the trophy.

Rez Rally 2006 recorded the highest number of participants in its six year history as a community walk/run promoting diabetes awareness. Billed as a “Native American gathering supporting fitness, health, competition and community,” the event has become a hugely popular annual event in the Seminole community.

Super sized tents were set up on the recreation athletic field for registration, food and the awards ceremony. Against this backdrop over a thousand participants arrived to represent their rez’s. Music boomed as families, friends and tribal officials greeted one another.

However, the festive atmosphere did nothing to do dilute the competitive spirit of the people. There was a race to be won and a trophy to be taken.

Participants ranged from the youngest in strollers to the Golden Seniors walking a modified path set up especially for them. Seminole Tribe employees and families also made up a sizable faction of the race. Each rez gave out their own T-shirt at registration and everyone received a Rez Rally T-shirt after the race. Nike® was one of the sponsors again this year giving out running shoes to all participants upon completion of the race. Jamba Juice was another outside sponsor.

The event took months of planning with volunteers and staff from each reservation working toward this culmination and nothing was taken for granted. The route ran through the usually docile streets of the Hollywood reservation neighborhoods.

One section of busy 64th Avenue was cordoned off from thru traffic for the morning. Seminole Police, Fire Rescue and EMS were involved in planning and facilitating safe conditions and emergency services.

By the time race was completed and most of the people had been fed, the reservation tallies were counted. The stage was set for announcements and presentations of the awards. All of the coordinators, volunteers, team captains and tribal officials readied for the results.

Big Cypress with 334 and Brighton with 322 were close but the trophy went to Hollywood with 374 registered participants. It was Hollywood Rez’s first Rez Rally trophy so the taste of victory was especially sweet.

Just about everything about Rez Rally 2006 was a victory. The numbers in participation alone set a new record. All the individuals, departments and sponsors involved worked hard for the success of this event Outside sponsors Nike® and Jamba Juice were on site and great.

This year’s Rez Rally was an outstanding testament to the dedication of people who take an action for health and community spirit.