Chris Sakelarios - The Spectrum Magazine

RCSD Corner: News From the Redwood City School District
SHundreds Run for Redwood City Education
everal hundred eager runners and walkers, perfect California weather
and a robust community spirit all joined together Oct. 15 to result
in the hugely successful, inaugural OktobeRun Half Marathon and
5K Run/Walk. Nearly a thousand runners, walkers and community
volunteers participated in the event, organized by the Redwood City Education
Foundation and sponsored by 18 local businesses and 37 generous families.
Numbering among the racers, ranging from age 3 to 86, were district
teachers, staff and students, many sporting T-shirts emblazoned with their
school’s logo, including Clifford fourth-grade teacher (and San Mateo
County’s 2010 Teacher of the Year) Shannon Cody, who was ultimately
the 10th-place overall finisher (and fastest female) in the half marathon,
completing 13.1 miles in almost exactly 90 minutes.
Superintendent Jan Christensen was also among the racers, completing the
3.1 miles comprising the 5K Run/Walk. “We’re so pleased about this event,”
said Christensen. “This is going to be a yearly event, and we so appreciate the
support of our foundation, because they are so awesome and fantastic and do
so many great things for our students.”
Race Director Rick Hunter, who also sits on the board of directors for RCEF,
and Course Director Ron Talain recognized a unique opportunity both to create a
race event in a region where none has been held for the past several years and
to benefit the students of the Redwood City School District in the process.
Early estimates indicate that this first-time event raised an incredible $25,000
to support and enrich the education of the district’s 9,200 students. Said Hunter,
“This was an all-volunteer event and we owe every volunteer a huge debt of
gratitude. We thank the Sequoia High School cross country team and leadership
class who cheered you on and all the race day volunteers who got up early to
work. Most of all, we thank the Race Organizing Committee, who put their lives
on hold for several months and spent probably thousands of hours working on every
detail. With the first successful year under our belts, next year’s planning will
be easier and focused on adding to and improving what we did in 2011.”
The OktobeRun coincided with Redwood City’s second annual
Oktoberfest, further incentivizing runners with the prospect of great food,
cold drinks and live entertainment to reward a race well run.
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