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October, in addition to bringing Halloween (and a haunted mansion’s worth of sports events with seasonal tie-ins) is also Hispanic Heritage Month.
In conjunction with that, there are plenty of sports events that bring in El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the holiday where families and friends celebrate the spirits of those who have passed on. Costumes, revelry and an upbeat mood pervade all festivities, giving the celebration a festival-like atmosphere
El Día de los Muertos generally falls between October 31 and November 2. However, the History Channel notes, “ El Día de los Muertos is not, as is commonly thought, a Mexican version of Halloween, though the two holidays do share some traditions, including costumes and parades.
Sports reach across borders, and nowhere is this more evident than in running events, particularly those held in areas with a strong Hispanic population and culture. The Los Muertos 5K is celebrated in Los Angeles, as well as virtually. Face painting (to allow participants to recreate the “sugar skull” look starts two hours in advance of the 8 a.m. line-up. The Día de los Muertos 5K Run/Walk (with multiple entry categories, including virtual options), is another event with tie-ins.
In Chicago, Careera de los Muertos celebrates 17 years of racing with its November 2 event. The 5K race raises money for UNO programming, such as the GirlsMPowered program.
Those who want something a little more challenging can investigate the Dia de los Muertos Endurance Run, with options for running six, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The course is located in Newport, Oregon at the South Beach State Park, near the Yaquina Bay Bridge.
But running events aren’t the only things out there. The Los Muertos Women’s Soccer Tournament runs from October 29 to November 1 in Puerta Vallarta. Events on the schedule include not only round-robin games but a traditional fiesta in which participants are encouraged to “celebrate life and have fun.”
Interestingly enough, Día de los Muertos is even celebrated at the Major League Baseball Level – or it was, at any rate. The Kansas City Royals had a special event on September 17 (because going later than that means interfering with postseason); that event included a themed bobblehead (see it at the link). In Minor League Baseball, the El Paso Chihuahuas debuted special jerseys, caps and other swag in honor of the occasion.
While plenty of events are planned, most, if not all, have the common denominator not just of celebration and costumes but of something that centers on the Muertos tradition: An altar that participants can decorate with photos of loved ones, drinks, trinkets, flowers (marigolds are often seen) and even food (a traditional offering for the deceased on a day when lore says they come back to visit). In addition, families and friends often gather to go to cemeteries and clean up around the graves of loved ones, share a meal and talk about their memories. Read more about the traditions here.
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