On your marks runners, the annual Race Thru The Redwoods is fast approaching on Sunday, Aug. 17.
This is the Felton Business Association’s 46th year organizing and sponsoring the event, which includes a 10K and a children’s one-mile race in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
There is a 700-person limit for the 10K race and the Santa Cruz Track Club is responsible for keeping and recording finish times.
Youth between the ages of four and 12 will participate in the children’s mile around the picnic area at 8:15 a.m. and the 10K race starts promptly at 8:30 a.m.
This is the second year that Valoree Mills, a member of the association’s board of directors, has helped manage the Race Thru the Redwoods.
Mills, along with other members of the board, work with local businesses and hundreds of volunteers from the community to put on this event.
“This is really about the love of running and participating in a beautiful forest,” Mills said.
The 10K run includes a steep incline that can be challenging, she said. The participants will run on the park’s paved roads as well as scenic dirt trails under the tall redwoods.
Last year’s 10K race winner was a 16-year-old Nick Heath from Scotts Valley. Heath ran the course in 40 minutes and 30 seconds.
Runners are given a free T-shirt and free pancake breakfast before the run which is hosted by the Felton Fire Protection District.
Participants can register at active.com and there will be no race day registrations.
This is the first year that the registration is being done exclusively online, Mills said, with the occasional exception for someone without access to a computer or the Internet.
“It is an event that is very well-supported by our community,” Mills said.
The Race Thru the Redwoods is an important communal event that runners enjoy, said volunteer John Fasolas.
Many kids from the community volunteer their time to make sure that the race runs smoothly, he said.
Youngsters from the area volunteer by preparing the track and manning the water tables and checkpoints for the big run. This year’s volunteers include members of the Scotts Valley High School girls’ soccer team, the San Lorenzo Valley High School cross-country team, the Felton Fire Protection District, and the Santa Cruz Track Club.
“I am a firm believer in community and that race really helps build community — especially amongst young people,” Fasolas said.
Local businesses such as Scotts Valley Cycle Sport also help out with the race. The bike shop is returning this year and will give away a bike to one lucky kid, said Mills.
A share of the proceeds from the run is donated to the various volunteer non-profit organizations, and the remaining profits are used for local events in Felton.
“Community is just an extension of your family,” Fasolas said. “The stronger the community, the better your family can be.”
For more information about Race Thru The Redwoods, visit www.racethrutheredwoods.com or contact fe***********************@gm***.com
