By Karina Yuan

The Princeton Active Circle hosted the annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) 5K Walk and Run at the Carnegie Center in West Windsor on May 11. The event was held in partnership with the Institute of Financial Intelligence, Where Music Carries Us, and the Museum of Chinese In America.

Several hundred people participated. The event kicked off with a Zumba class warm-up to pop hits like Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers.” The mayor then welcomed runners, and Angela Du sang the national anthem.

Runners ranged in age from five to more than seventy years old, with some runners bringing along their pet dogs or pushing their kids in strollers.

Awards were given to the top three male and female runners of every age group, starting from 0-12 and ending with 70 and up. Ya Gai of Princeton took first place, completing the 5K race with a time of 18:29:67 in the men’s division. In the women’s division, L. Baring of Princeton took first place with a time of 21:20:61. Full race results are available online.

As runners crossed the finish line, they were serenaded by volunteer performers and members of Where Music Carries Us.

The walk and run is part of a month-long celebration of the diverse and unique history of Asian and Pacific Islanders. While Asian and Pacific Islander people have played a central role in the United States for centuries, their contributions have only recently begun to receive recognition.

Reporter Karina Yuan is a student at Princeton Day School. All photos submitted by Karina Yuan.