Natasha Watley Foundation (5K), Van Nuys

Softball gold medalist Natasha Watley founded her eponymous foundation to get girls in underserved communities onto the diamond, where teamwork and competition boosts athletic abilities as well as confidence and social skills. The foundation's annual 5K and 10K races invite runners to test their personal bests during jaunts through the leafy lanes of Lake Balboa Park. In addition to raising funds and community awareness for the NWF, the races also reward competitors; in addition to race prizes, there are also awards given to groups with the fastest time, most money raised, best costumes, and highest spirits. A silent auction with sports tickets, gift baskets, vacations, and other prizes even gives spectators something better to do than trying to feel each individual blade of grass under their feet.