Stepping Forward for the Planet: VEGRUN Brings Eco-Friendly Fun to Los Angeles

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
June 27, 2025

“VEGRUN, VERY FUN!” Laughter and applause filled the air as Hsi Lai Temple and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter hosted their VEGRUN event on June 7 at Walnut High School’s Ken Gunn Stadium in Los Angeles County. The event joined the global VEGRUN movement, promoting a plant-based lifestyle through fun and fitness—including a hula hoop endurance challenge and a three-legged race.

Participants helped support reforestation efforts: for every 20 kilometers logged, one tree would be planted. The nearly 550 attendees collectively earned 41 trees that will be planted in wildfire-affected areas of Southern California.

The event kicked off in Olympic-style, with Hsi Lai BSA Troop 8888 leading a flag procession featuring the U.S.A., California, Buddhist, and BLIA flags. Attendees from subchapters of BLIA Los Angeles, TAG School, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops, University of the West (UWest), and residents from Walnut and Diamond Bar marched around the track while waving and cheering.

In his remarks, Venerable Hui Dong, abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, emphasized how VEGRUN promotes both a healthy lifestyle and environmental awareness. He praised participants for taking meaningful action to protect the planet and offered prayers for peace and harmony in the world.

BLIA Los Angeles Chapter President Echo Tsai thanked the public for their enthusiasm and encouraged continued support for environmental causes.

Walnut Valley Unified School District Board Member Tony Torng expressed gratitude for choosing Walnut High School as the venue and thanked BLIA for donating succulent plants to beautify the campus.

San Gabriel City Councilmember John Wu applauded the event’s blend of wellness, vegetarianism, and environmentalism, summing it up with: “Eat well, run strong, plant trees.” He presented commendation certificates to Hsi Lai Temple, BLIA Los Angeles, and University of the West in recognition of their contributions.

UWest President Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta reminded participants that “environmental protection isn’t a one-day event—it’s a daily practice.” She also invited everyone to the university’s first-ever Vegetarian Food Festival on August 9.

Special guests included Head Superintendent Venerable Ru Song and Deputy Superintendent Venerable Zhi Xing of Hsi Lai Temple, Diamond Bar Mayor Chia Yu Teng, and BLIA Los Angeles Elder Advisors Sharon Chang and Alex Wu.

As the crowd chanted, “VEGRUN GO GO GO!” participants set off in walking and running groups, circling the track to accumulate kilometers for tree planting. Some strolled hand-in-hand with grandchildren, while others jogged together as couples. After completing four laps, participants earned colorful beaded bracelets with slogans like “RUN 4 LOVE”, which many happily wore before continuing on.

The hula hoop and three-legged races were crowd favorites. For the hula hoop challenge, contestants had to keep the hoop spinning for at least one minute before walking it to the finish line. In the three-legged race, teams tested their coordination and teamwork—completing extra tasks like shouting “VEGRUN!” or kicking a shuttlecock three times before finishing.

As the event wrapped up, Mayor Chia Yu Teng praised the festive spirit and meaningful purpose of VEGRUN, noting its positive impact on families and its ecological mission.

Awards were handed out in various categories, including:

Best Promotion by a BLIA subchapter

Best Participation for running or walking more than 8 laps

Eldest Participant (over age 75)

Youngest Participant (under age 6)

Largest Participating Family (more than six members)

Winners of the fun competitions

Prizes included gold medals from BLIA, eco-friendly utensils, and for the fun race winners—boxes of fresh vegetables, a crowd-pleaser that drew excited cheers of “So fun!” and “VEGRUN! VEGRUN! VEGRUN!”

Among the many families who joined, Wang Chih-Hsien, Wu Jung, and their daughter Wang Tzu-Yu made a strong showing. Wu Jung earned a medal for completing over eight laps, while Wang Chih-Hsien and Tzu-Yu won the three-legged race and took home two boxes of vegetables. The family shared their interest in joining BLIA and expressed how touched they were by the event’s environmental mission. “We want to do more public service,” they said. “And we’ll definitely be back next time!”