Mariachi 5K in Boyle Heights hits sour note

BOYLE HEIGHTS, Calif. (KABC) -- A mariachi-themed 5K run scheduled at Boyle Heights the upcoming Sunday is stirring up controversy and could be shut down by the City of Los Angeles.

"To me, it was just have a 5K... and listen to mariachi music - that was the whole concept of it," said Carlos Gaspar, the race's organizer.

But like in many other 5K races, runners dress to match the theme. Some feel the event, which is slated to begin and end at historic Mariachi Plaza, will make a mockery of the music and what it represents.

The biggest backlash centers on the mariachi musicians who would be performing along the route.

"I don't think its okay. He's hired mariachi from other cities not from the plaza," said Jesus Zamora, a mariachi musician at the Plaza.

Gaspar, who has organized similar races in Long Beach, said infighting among Mariachi Plaza musicians for the job forced him to hire others.

But that's not the biggest challenge for Gaspar. The City of Los Angeles has yet to issue a permit for the race. Gaspar blames politics.

Councilman Jose Huizar and the city are sponsoring a separate Boyle Heights 5K in October. The councilman's office said Gaspar's event doesn't have the community support needed to shut down the streets for the race.

"I have to learn the hard way from the community that there are people bigger than the community," Gaspar said. "The city told me if I get 51 percent, they could issue my permit. I got 60 percent," Gaspar said.

About 180 people have signed up for the race so far.

The race entrance fee isn't refundable, but if Gaspar doesn't get the permit for Boyle Heights, he plans on moving the race to another nearby location within a month or two.