Culver City Observer -

The PTA officer may have felt conflicted.

Culver City Council PTA Executive Vice President Megan Oddsen led Culver City Rotary Foundation President Keith Jones in sight of the finish line at Ivy Station in the Screenland 5K Celebrity Trike Race championship.

Does Oddsen sublimate her competitive instincts to allow the race's Golden Wizard sponsor to take the crown in appreciation for Rotary's support in helping fund the $5600 donation the Council PTA would receive from race proceeds? Or does she furiously cycle to maintain her advantage to the end? With a burst of speed, Jones overtook Oddsen to win in front of numerous city dignitaries, senior Olympians, and other Screenland 5K guests on packet pickup day before the race.

"I gave it my all," Oddsen said.

"She was huffing and puffing at the end, a great competitor. I had to reach deep down to pull it out," said Jones, a former US Olympics qualifier in martial arts.

"We are thrilled to have participated in the Screenland 5K in many ways, including aiding PTA, Backpacks for Kids, and other race charities," said Jones.

The Screenland 5K, held on Oscar Sunday, Mar. 10, contributed over $16,000 in funds, services, and rebates to local non-profits, students, and the school district.

The primary beneficiary, CC Council PTA, received $5,600 to help support Backpacks for Kids and other activities. Culver City Firefighter (Jesse Luna and Mike Nagy Memorial Mile) and Police Officer associations (Baker to Vegas Relay team, Calif-Nev Olympics) collectively pocketed $1,600 from Screenland 5K race proceeds. Over $5,000 in mutual race proceeds will benefit Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin's non-profit Jazz Hands for Autism, Connecting to Cure, Bike Culver City, FeedCulver, Culver City Historical Society, the Scouts, and Friends of the Sandy Segal Youth Health Center.

Some 160 volunteers helped provide exceptional experiences for the 2,600 Screenland 5K walkers and runners from 17 states and four countries. Among them, Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioner Jane Leonard played a convincing Wicked Witch of the West and Almira Gulch on race weekend. Heather Witt, President of the Culver City Rotary Club, portrayed a hilarious Lucy amidst the motion picture-themed screen performers on the main stage, at the Health and Fitness Expo, and along the course. McMorrin portrayed Ginda, the Good Witch of the North.

So. Cal Garrison Star Wars Stormtroopers, LA Ghostbusters, Rainbow Taiko Drummers, Leslie Gardner and the PTA Honorary Service Award All-Stars, Centaur Marching Band, and other groups donated their fees to Screenland 5K charities.

Screenland 5K partners are Culver City Rotary Foundation, Ting, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Ivy Station, Design Etcetera-Lori Escalera, Midwest Roofing, Culver City Arts Foundation, The Shay, City of Culver City, KP9 Interactive, West Basin Municipal Water District, Cavanaugh Realtors, Alliance CrossFit, Hillside Memorial Park, Sprouts, Yoga Six, Alliance CrossFit, Heather and Art Realtors, Sorrento Italian Market, Jackson Market, Marina Martial Arts, Culver City News, Culver City Crossroads, Staples on National, AT&T Business, Culver City Toyota, Cycle Bar, Skywell Water and Mercury Events.

Dunkin Donuts, David Girard Hair and Color Studio in Culver City, Ike's Love and Sandwiches, Costco, Hi-Lo Market, Akasha Restaurant, Sol Mexican Cocina Playa Vista, HomeState Texas Kitchen, Sweetfin Poke, Sidecar Doughnuts, Metro Café, California Pizza Kitchen, Dora Corral, and Pickln donated prizes and other items.

Fee for next year's Oscar Sunday race on March 9 is only 40% of the race day price. The $24.95 entry includes a shirt, medal, official time, photos, expo and character sightings along your journey into motion picture magic. Fees adjust to $28.90 on Apr. 7. Sign up now at http://www.Screenland5k.com.

LEADING ROLES--Culver City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jane Leonard, as Almira Gulch of The Wizard of Oz, and Culver City Rotary Club President Heather Witt, as Lucy of The Lucy Show, flank Culver City Vice Mayor Dan O'Brien, who played Andy Griffith of Mayberry, on the Screenland 5K red carpet. Their participation helped raise over $16,000 for local non-profits.

Photo by George Laase