Published in the February 4-17, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Paul Rakitin
Paul Rakitin
It takes about 59 minutes for an average runner to finish a typical 10K road race. In that same period of time last year, the Big Sur Marathon sold out. It was a record time for the event registration now in its 30th year. Imagine waiting on your computer until online registration opens, only to find the website bogged down with thousands of runners competing for a slot trying to do the same thing you’re doing, to run one of the most scenic marathons in the world.
We all have our dream races to conquer and the Big Sur Marathon seems to be a bucket list race for many runners. But if you have to wait until next year, please consider the many races our very own South Valley region offers. These local events all give back directly to the community we live in and the entry fees are reasonably priced.
The racing season here has begun and will continue through the fall. What is fast becoming not only a local favorite but a very challenging and Boston Marathon-qualifying race is the Morgan Hill Marathon, held Sunday, Oct. 25 this year. Another local race, held Jan. 24, was the 32nd annual Mission 10-miler in San Juan Bautista, which drew a crowd of more than 300 runners. The South Valley Running Club as always dominated the 10-miler with wins in a handful of different age group categories.
February brings us the Hellyer Half and 5K, 10K runs. This race is followed by a new event called the Muddy Patriot in March at Mt. Madonna County Park. The three-mile run and obstacle course will help raise funds for Operation Enduring Warrior. The AAUW Wildflower run will be held March 29 in Morgan Hill and proceeds support women and girls’ education programs. Other events in May and June include the Mushroom Mari Gras 5K and 10K and the Hunting Hollow trail race at Henry W. Coe State Park. The Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 5K race and kids 1-mile run July 4 is another favorite that draws a blazing quick group of runners on a flat and fast course right through the middle of downtown Morgan Hill. The summer months also bring us the Mount Madonna Challenge — and a challenge it is, now in its 40th year Aug. 22 that include a 6, 12, 18 and 30K trail race with the 12K distance being a Road Runners Club championship event.
These events are just a few of the more popular races in our general area. But others include triathlon, duathlon and trail runs or ultra-distance events all within 20 miles. Whichever event you decide to sign up for, of course, is up to you. It’s nice to know that when planning out your race season here in the South Valley you don’t have to do it a year in advance. The scenery is breathtaking, the crowds are manageable and the participants are typically our very own friends and neighbors, which makes it all the more fun to race here. Racing for a good cause and keeping it local is always a great idea, especially when it benefits the very same people we live with and the valley we call home.
Paul Rakitin is the owner of The Running Shop, 16999 Monterey Road, Suite D.
