Bellflower woman rides in Rose Parade

BELLFLOWER - Bellflower native Nadia Ruiz Gonzales rode in the Tournament of Roses Parade this week, atop Kaiser Permanente's float entry.Ruiz Gonzales, an Ecuadorian-American, was born at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. In 1995, she saw Rolando Patricio Vera Rodas of Ecuador take first place at the Los Angeles Marathon. At that moment, she knew she wanted to run marathons. She ran her first marathon a few years later at age 14. Now, at 29, she is among the youngest and fastest Latina runners in the world with 110 marathons to her credit. Kaiser Permanente officials said Ruiz Gonzales "embodies Kaiser Permanente's healthy living message."

********** Published: Jan. 2, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 38