The Third Annual Eric Sears ‘Life is an Adventure’ 5k Run/Walk was held on Saturday, August 18th in Carlsbad, California. The run/walk will benefit scholarships for Carlsbad High School seniors that demonstrate leadership qualities, have a goal in life and a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. The Eric Sears Foundation has funded approximately $20,000 in scholarships for students since 2004. A $35 race fee for runners benefited the foundation’s work.

The event was held in Poinsettia Park in Carlsbad. The 300 participants warmed up to Jazzercise. After the run/walk they enjoyed BBQ fish tacos by the Cynthia Lane chefs and listened to the Village Idiots band.

The race remembers Eric Sears, a Carlsbad High School student. Sears died in July 2004 on a camping trip with a friend at the Joshua Tree National Park’s Jumbo Rocks campground. The friend told authorities that the two tried a tea made from jimson weed the evening before Sears vanished. Authorities speculated that the effects of the tea, which can cause hallucination and dehydration, may have encouraged Eric to walk into the desert, where his body was discovered later.

Sources: North County Times, Eric Sears Foundation