Racers taking off to start the race.

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The fifth annual Dia de los Miles 5K race was held Oct. 25 at District56 here, where 1,400 racers gathered at 8 a.m. Additionally, children had a chance to race in ½-mile and ¼-mile races.

Each runner received a shirt along with a medal and a free breakfast burrito after finishing the race. With the help of Fleet Feet and others who made the race possible, all donations from the race went to the Latino Center of Art & Culture.

At the front of the race was a mercado (market) celebrating Hispanic heritage and even an ofrenda in the middle of the walkway commemorating Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Local Latino artists, too, sold goods including food and clothing.

Racers dressed up as skeletons.

Racers painted their faces and dressed up as skeletons to embrace Hispanic culture, as well as the local vendors celebrating the beginning of the multi-day holiday.

Día de los Muertos is more than just a day of remembering departed loved ones in Hispanic culture, but a tradition for the celebration of life, honoring loved ones who have died.

Families build ofrendas (altars), filling them with pictures of the departed loved ones along with their favorite foods and drinks, welcoming back the spirits of the dead for a reunion filled with joy. Families spread a trail of marigold petals to and around the ofrenda, guiding the spirits back to their family members and loved ones.

The ofrenda that was in the walkway.

This celebration takes place in the last week of October and into the first week of November. Each day honors certain spirits in a certain way whether it is with a preparation or offering.

But the two main days of the celebration are Nov. 1 and 2. Nov. 1 honors and celebrates the spirits of infants and children, while Nov. 2 honors and celebrates the spirits of adults.

When it comes to an end Nov. 3, burning incense helps guide the spirits back on their path until next year.

During that week, there is no mourning throughout Hispanic culture. Instead, there will be vibrant colors, festivals and people embracing – celebrating the lives of departed loved ones – knowing that honoring them will keep their spirits alive.