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An estimated 1,100 runners participated Sunday morning in the Rotary Club of Pleasanton’s 17th annual Spirit Run on Main Street including a 90-year-old who said it was his first time to join in the event.
The street was closed starting at 5 a.m. and by 6 a.m. Rotarians were busy moving their sound system, timing clocks and starting and finish line markers into place. Runners were there at 7 a.m., warming up and enjoying pre-race coffee and conversation in the Round Table Pizza parking lot.
At 8 a.m., runners in the 10K race lined up and the race was on. At 8:20, the 5K race began with Eli Ambrose, 90, at the front of the starting line. A first-time participant, he received a loud round of applause from other racers when he was introduced.
The Father’s Day tradition has continued to grow as runners, families and kids participate in either a 10K or 5K run or the kids’ challenge.
The courses wound through Pleasanton neighborhoods, the Alameda County Fairgrounds and on trails along the scenic Arroyo del Valle.
Proceeds go to support the Rotary Club of Pleasanton’s scholarship program. In the last 12 years, more than $320,000 has been raised for scholarships to deserving Pleasanton graduates who need financial help to attend college.
Last year, Pleasanton Rotary awarded 21 scholarships ranging from $750 to $2,350 for a total of $24.400.
The run is sponsored by Sensiba San Filippo LLP, a Bay Area accounting firm with an office in Pleasanton.
The Rotary Club is continuing its practice of donating $5 per registration to Pleasanton schools when runners designate a group or school.
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They’re off! Runners head out on the 10K run at Sunday morning’s 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Photo by Jeb Bing. -
Runners line up Sunday morning for the start of the 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. More than 1,100 joined in this year’s even. Photo by Jeb Bing. -
A motorcycle officer leads the way to make sure Main Street spectators stay on the curb as runners move under the Pleasanton Arch and onto a 10K course in Sunday morning’s 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Photo by Jeb Bing -
Greg Chandler briefs his young runners Sunday morning on how to pace themselves, with son Jackson, 4, running in the children’s race and daughter Emma, 6, competing with dad in the 5K. The Chandlers were among 1,100 who participated in the 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Photo by Jeb Bing -
Eli Ambrose, 90, was not only the oldest runner in Sunday morning’s Spirit Run but he told the cheering crowd it was the first time he had tried it. The race staff of the Pleasanton Rotary Club, which sponsors the annual event, placed Ambrose at the front of the 5K race, where runners were lining up behind him. Photo by Jeb Bing -
Here they come! Runners cross under the Pleasanton Arch on their way to a course through the Alameda County Fairgrounds and Pleasanton neighborhoods as part of the 10K race in Sunday morning’s 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Photo by Jeb Bing -
With hundreds competing, it takes a while for all the runners to cross under the Pleasanton Arch and actually head out on the 10K course prepared by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton, which sponsored Sunday morning’s 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition. Photo by Jeb Bing -
Just past the starting line under the Pleasanton Arch, the faster runners already start taking the lead in Sunday morning’s 17th annual Spirit Run, a Father’s Day tradition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Photo by Jeb Bing. -
Runners head out to the fairgrounds and Pleasanton neighborhoods as they compete Sunday morning in the Father’s Day Spirit Run, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton. Photo by Jeb Bing
Here’s the link to the event details and registration:
http://www.active.com/running/pleasanton-ca/pleasanton-rotary-spirit-run-2010
This is a great event for our community. Come on out and join in on the fun! See you at the race!
This event is for everybody whether you are competitive or just want to have some fun. Some people even walk the 5K with the whole family and neighbors. The money from this event goes to scholarships for Pleasanton students going to college. The Rotary Club of Pleasanton just gave out over $24,000 to local graduates going off to college this next year. Many of the recipients would not be going onto college for financial reasons and these scholarships allow them to go. Please support the event, which supports our students.
Here’s a faster link to the event:
http://www.spiritrun.com/
Please participate by walking, running or donating! Thank you!
“Domus Pizza parking lot”?
Try Round Table Pizza parking lot.