By Paul Doherty Sports Editor At 8am on July 14 at Solorsano
Middle School in Gilroy, the 10K, 5K Run for the Stinkin’ Roses
will kick off for the first time under it’s new name, direction,
and home.
By Paul Doherty
Sports Editor
At 8am on July 14 at Solorsano Middle School in Gilroy, the 10K, 5K Run for the Stinkin’ Roses will kick off for the first time under it’s new name, direction, and home.
The South Valley Running Club (SVRC), based in Morgan Hill, took over direction of the Reek Run in January 2007, and changed the name to the Run for the Stinkin’ Roses.
A non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting health and wellness in body, mind, and spirit through running, SVRC has been around since 2004 and is comprised of approximately 80 men and women runners of all levels from Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Martin.
Club president Craig Lore started running competitively in 2000, and was surprised at the level of camaraderie and teamwork involved in an individual sport.
“The running community is really supportive,” Lore said. “People cheer each other on, and afterwards they talk about the runs and how they can improve their times.”
SVRC members have competed in everything from 5K runs to ultramarathons, including the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon, and club secretary Allan Abrams participated in the Great Wall Marathon in China last May.
“As an individual sport it is hard for people to see the need or want to join a group, but being in a group can help get you motivated and it can totally be a social event,” he said. “Running in a group can help push your personal limits and help you go a little faster and a little farther, no matter what your level.”
The Run for the Stinkin’ Roses is a fun run-walk allowing participants to run or walk 3.1 or 6.2 miles along the scenic Santa Teresa Bike levee.
“The course is half roads and half bike paths, and is not totally flat, but there are no big hills,” Lore said. “There definitely aren’t as many twists and turns as the Bonfante Gardens course.”
With close to 100 people pre-registered, Lore expects at least 100 to register on the day of the race.
Registration is $30 and includes a live band, and a give-away raffle with prizes such as Fry’s Electronics gift certificates, free massages, running equipment, mp3 players, and blue-tooth headsets, among others.
People pre-registered will receive a T-shirt with artwork from Morgan Hill’s Angie Young.
The top three men and women’s age group finishers will receive custom made Run for the Stinkin’ Roses medals, and SVRC will also be giving out goodie bags with a mixture of items.
The run is sponsored by Brooks Shoes, Go Run Sports, Shapell Homes, St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy, and Roebucks Smoothies, which will be giving out free smoothies at the end of the race.
A portion of the proceeds will help fund Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter (FOSMAS), which will be at the race with some pets up for adoption.
SVRC provided all six volunteers for the Fourth of July IDI 5K, gaining valuable experience to transfer over to the Run for the Stinkin’ Roses.
“It’s really interesting participating in the race from behind the table instead of as a runner,” Lore said. “The race will be administered by runners and the race direction will be taken care of by runners.”
As their first sponsored run, the SVRC is doing all they can to make sure everything runs as smooth as possible.
“We’re trying to anticipate problems and make it a race that people want to come back to because we did a good job,” Lore said. “Wit h so many sponsors and so much going on, it won’t quite be an expo, but more of a show.”
