Race season is heating up, with annual runs and walks for charities popping up in the coming months. Patch dug up information on some 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, fun runs and more that are taking place in and around the Tri-City area. So grab your running shoes and run for a cause.
MAY
Event: Mermaid Run, East Bay
- When: Saturday, May 7, at 8 a.m.
- Where: Quarry Lakes Regional Park, 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont
- What It Supports: Celebrating Mother’s Day
- Try out the new Siren 18-mile distance at this Mother’s Day celebration event, a stepping stone from the half-marathon to a full marathon. The Siren 18 will premiere at this event but there are also 5K, 10K and half-marathon options available. There is also a Mini Mermaid Run, a 1.5 mile run, for girls age 6 to 12.
- Cost: $40 to $60 with team and group discounts available.
- For more information: Visit this website.
Event: 2nd Annual Willow Glen Run/Walk
- When: Saturday, May 7, at 9 a.m.
- Where: Willow Glen Elementary School, 1425 Lincoln Ave., San Jose
- What It Supports: Willow Glen Elementary School
- Run a 5K through the neighborhood with friends and family to support the school and a new tradition with the second annual walk/run through the Willow Glen neighorhood. The Willow Glen 5K benefits student programs at Willow Glen Elementary.
- Cost: Youth, ages 4 to 17, $20. Adults, ages 18 and older, $30.
- For more information: Visit this website.
Event: Mourning Mothers Walk for Peace
- When: Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to noon
- Where: San Leandro Marina, 40 Mulford Point Dr., San Leandro
- What It Supports: 1,000 Mothers to Prevent Violence, a nonprofit dedicated to providing support and services to parents who lose their children to violence.
- Join for a 1K walk against violence, which begins at 10 a.m. After the walk there will be testimonials, food, a raffle and live music, including from San Leandro's own Sara Mestas. The event will be emceed by veteran KGO-TV anchor Cheryl Jennings.
- Cost: $10 donation
- For more information: Visit the website. call 510-581-0100 or email mothers1000@aol.com.
Event: Race for Literacy
- When: Sunday, May 8
- Where: Shoreline, Mountain View
- What It Supports: India Literacy Project
- Run a 5K and enjoy a hearty breakfast afterward while supporting a cause that raises funds to create a 100 percent literate India. There will also be a fast-paced, timed USATF certified course available for serious runners.
- Cost: $25 per adult, with discounts available for families of three or four.
- For more information: Visit this website.
Event: Race for Man of the Year 5K/10K
- When: Sunday, May 15, at 9 a.m.
- Where: Hellyer County Park (Yerba Buena Group Area), 985 Hellyer Ave., San Jose
- What It Supports: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Tim Schmal, a long-time participant and coach of Team In Training, has been nominated for the 2011 Man of the Year. His goal is to raise money through this race to become the Man of the Year. The 10K is suggested for runners only, while the 5K welcomes walkers and runners.
- Cost: 5K: $30, 10K: $40
- For more information: Visit the website.
Event: Second Annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk/Family Fun Run/10K Run
- When: Sunday, May 15, check-in at 8 a.m.
- Where: Almaden Lake Park and adjacent trails, 15652 Almaden Expressway, San Jose
- What It Supports: Scleroderma Foundation, Northern California Chapter
- Nearly 300,000 Americans are affected by scleroderma and there is currently no cure. Proceeds will benefit the Scleroderma Foundation's Northern California Chapter, a non-profit whose mission is to educate and support the scleroderma community, increase awareness and raise money for research. The event will include food, prizes, a silent auction, music, exercise and fun for the entire family.
- Cost: 10K: $40, Walk/Fun Run: $30 adult; $20 child ages 5-18; under 5 free
- For more information: Visit this website.
Event: NAMIWalk SF Bay Area
- When: Saturday, May 21
- Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
- What It Supports: NAMI mental health programs in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties.
- Run a 5K or 1.5K course in Golden Gate Park. Collect donations to raise money for the cause. Anyone who raises $100 or more will receive a NAMI Walks Event T-shirt. The event will take place rain or shine.
- Cost: Free, but participants are encouraged to collect donations.
- For more information: Visit the website or email laurie@namiwalkSFbay.org.
Event: Sweatin’ for Sammy
- When: Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m.
- Where: Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Mockingbird Hill entrance, San Jose
- What It Supports: Sammy Green
- Strollers are welcome on this 5K walk/run to raise money for Sammy Green, who was born with a very rare genetic condition called Primary Autosommal Recessive Microcephaly. Sammy also has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Sweatin’ for Sammy aims to raise money to pay for a special therapy program that may help him. Prizes and aid stations will be available, as well as T-shirts to the first 100 people to register.
- Cost: $25 before May 10, $35 before May 20, and $40 on race day.
- For more information: Visit the website.
Event: 2nd Annual Run to Play 5K/10K
- When: Sunday, May 22, check-in at 6:30 a.m.
- Where: Trojan Stadium, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley
- What It Supports: Castro Valley High School Athletic Program
- Choose from three options, with a 5K walk or run, 10K run or Kid’s Fun 100-meter Dash. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers as well as three medals for each age group. Fees include T-shirt, post-race refreshments and award ceremony.
- Cost: Kids' Fun Run: ages 12 and under $10, $13 on race day. 5K & 10K: $30, $35 on race day.
- For more information: Visit the website.
JUNE
Event: Race to Save Student Activities
- When: Friday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Where: Caesar Chavez Middle School , 2801 Hop Ranch Rd., Union City
- What It Supports: New Haven Boosters Association
- Participate in a 5K, 10K, fun run and walk, relay race and more to support co-curricular and extra-curricular programs for New Haven schools. The event is open to all.
- Cost: $10 to $20 each depending on age.
- For more information: Visit this website, call 510 471-4760 or email mritchie@newhavenboosters.org. Buy tickets here.
Event: Packard Summer Scamper 5K/10K
- When: Sunday, June 26, at 9 a.m.
- Where: Stanford University, Palo Alto
- What It Supports: Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
- Choose among a 5K walk, 5K run, 10K run, kids' fun run for ages 3 to 10 or virtual racing. You can also volunteer at the event.
- Cost: Fun Run: $10, 5K: $30, 10K: $35. Prices reflect early registration and may be higher depending on when you register. Participants may also raise money for the cause on top of their entry fee.
- For more information: Visit this website.
JULY
Event: Eden Medical Center 5K/10K Run to the Lake & Free Health Expo
- When: Sunday, July 10, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Eden Medical Center, 20103 Lake Chabot Rd., Castro Valley
- What It Supports: Trauma Center at Eden Medical Center
- Choose between a 10K, 5K or Kids' Dash and help support the Eden Medical Center. The race begins at 8 a.m.; the health expo will run from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Take advantage of free health screenings, free disposal of expired medication and mercury thermometers, and health information at the expo, which is open to the community. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the event.
- Cost: Prices vary.
- For more information: Visit this website.
