For nearly four decades, people have been running, walking and focusing on the Seal Beach community every April for the annual 5K/10K and for the last few years, the 1K kids fun run. This year, Run Seal Beach has announced its ruby anniversary, and it appears it is going to be one of the biggest years ever.
“We are consistently running ahead of last year’s registrations,” said Elizabeth Kane, race treasurer. “We are thrilled as well to welcome many new sponsors to the Run, including Glory Days, Long Beach Memorial, Republic Services, Navy Federal and several others who stepped up.”
The run takes a year of planning from the all-volunteer board of directors, an operational race day team and hundreds of volunteers on race day.
“We continue to strive to make our event the best it can be in terms of fun, community engagement, fundraising and most importantly safety,” said Marc Loopesko, race director.
Run Seal Beach is one of the largest grant giving organizations in the Sun region. Funds go to a variety of non-profits, particularly in the sports and recreation sector. The entire Los Alamitos Unified School District (LAUSD) actually is the major beneficiary with over 47% of the total funds raised over the last decade. Other major recipients include the City of Seal Beach recreation department, police, lifeguards and other Seal Beach and Los Alamitos based non-profits. In general, grant recipients will range in awards from $500 to just over $7,500.
Uses are usually for direct equipment costs, scholarships or improvements to programs for the recipients. For many groups, such as the Los Alamitos booster clubs, it represents vital funding to support many of their direct costs.
Many recipients have Run Seal Beach as a key sponsor of scholarships, direct support of their mission or for enrichment of existing programming.
“Undoubtedly it is in part because of the sponsorship of Run Seal Beach that allows the City to continue to offer high caliber community/recreation programs, increase recreation opportunities, and the ‘above and beyond’ ongoing support you now give to other projects such as the palm tree lighting at the pier,” said Jill Ingram, Seal Beach City Manager. “We are proud to be a partner in the production of the event.”
Run Seal Beach actually began as an official organization in 1997, but had the run be part of the City for many years prior.”
Marc Loopesko said, “It is a privilege to be part of producing such an incredible event for Seal Beach, we have over 550 volunteers on race day, and our organizing committee does so much work, from the Start Line to Finish line. We hope to continue to grow the race by making it better every year.”
Also new this year, the Kids 1K Fun Run is to be capped at 400 runners in order to ensure a quality experience in the Kids Fun Zone during the duration of the race.
If you want to have your child in the run, be sure to register now. For more information on sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, event registration and general information go to www.RunSealBeach.com and sign up for April 5. Be sure to join us on race day, as Run Seal Beach will only have more opportunities to give back this year.
