Runners, walkers and more than 500 volunteers are gearing up for the 36th Annual Seal Beach 5/10K Run-Walk next Saturday, April 10.
The theme for the 2010 race is “Surf, Sun and Run.” April 10 should be a beautiful day for the event. The race has grown from humble beginnings to surpassing attendance of more than 5,000 in 2009.
Organizers hope this year’s race will meet that record.
What makes this race so different from others 5K and 10K runs?
For one, the location and the race routes: the race boasts of having one of the most scenic routes in and around Seal Beach, with the finish line ending at our historic pier along Ocean Avenue.
Another draw is the unique Kids 1K Fun Run and Fun Zone program that was started more than eight years ago. The Fun Zone program allows parents to run the 5K or 10K while their child participates in the 1K Fun Run, and is then looked after in a secure area with games and activities until the parent has completed their course. The Seal Beach 5/10K organization has had nothing but praise and glowing endorsements for this one-of-a-kind program that is a win for families.
But perhaps the biggest draw is that the event truly draws together the Seal Beach community.
As a 100 percent volunteer organization, race organizers rely on over 500 volunteers to help staff and man the variety of tasks that must be accomplished in order to make race day a success.
For those who do not run, it is a way to participate in what has become one of the largest community events of the year for Seal Beach, bringing participants from more than 20 states and several foreign countries each year.
These volunteers come directly from the community in the form of scouts, police explorers, Women’s Club and Los Alamitos School District groups and parents.
Lastly, the Seal Beach 5/10K Non-Profit organization has become the largest source of grants and funding back to the community each year.
As a direct result of the growth and participation in this wonderful event, the event has given back over $500,000 to the community for recreation programs, services and facilities needs in the past six years and over $100,000 in 2009 alone.
These programs help us insure that Seal Beach remains a healthy and active place to live for all our citizens.
This means you must pre-register on-line (Active.com) or via mail in, or come down to the Registration Center at the Marina Community Center on Friday April 9 to be able to participate. Packet pickup and late registration will be available from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday April 9 and packet pickup only will continue race morning, Saturday April 10th from 6:30 – 7:45 a.m.
The Kids 1K Fun Run starts promptly at 7:45 a.m. followed by the 5K and 10K runners at 8 a.m. The 5K walkers will start at 8:05 a.m.
For more information, visit the Web site www.Sealbeachrun.com.
Elizabeth Kane of Seal Beach is the Seal Beach 5K/10K
registration coordinator.
