Running, walking and biking for Victims of Violence

One-hundred and twenty-one runners, walkers and bikers completed the Victims of Violence 5K on Saturday, supporting local organizations who provide services to crime survivors and help prevent suffering.

Mario Daniel Gomez, a 19-year-old student at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College crossed the crepe paper finish line first at Dean Porter Park with a time of 19:48.

Gomez studies criminal justice at UTB-TSC and said he wished he could have participated in both the Victims of Violence and the Keith Ferguson 5K's, which took place at the same time. Ferguson, an NYPD police officer, died of a heart attack while responding to a call from his partner. UTB-TSC hosted that 5K, also at 8 a.m., to raise money for the school's criminal justice department.

This isn't the first race Gomez has won.

"It's more about your mind, I guess," he said. "I just focus on the race and think about eating and resting afterwards."

In the women's category, 11-year-old Danielle Rodriguez who attends San Perlita Elementary near Raymondville came in first.

"My mom found out about the race off the Internet," Rodriguez said, referring to the Running with Christ Web site that brought many of the participants to the 5K.

In its second year, the race's attendance has more than doubled, according to organizer and founder Stephanie Rollins.

Rollins is currently the First Chair prosecutor in the Cameron County Court 1.

"We see a high rate of family violence in this area," Rollins said. "I actually conceived of the idea for this race while I was a law student. I was taking a class called Family Violence and the Law."

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Friendship of Women and Family Crisis Center.

"We don't have a lot of community support," said Gloria Ocampo, the assistant executive director of the Friendship of Women. "People's attitudes are more like ‘I'll support you, but in silence,' and that's not enough."

An expo of organizations benefiting crime victims complemented the 5K. Rosie Mendoza, the crime victims coordinator for District Attorney Armando R. Villalobos, coordinated the expo.

"Many victims don't know their rights or that there are free services available," Mendoza said. "We want to spread awareness to the community about victims' rights and resources."