Lighting off firecrackers is a thrilling July Fourth activity. But runners in search of something more exhilarating, like Santa Cruz's Jeff Gardina, may want to try conquering the hill in the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Firecracker 10-kilometer run.
The theme of the race this year, fittingly is "The Thrill of the Hill" The legendary hill, which is midway through the course and rises for about a mile, causes many runners to take a break and walk and discourages some runners from running the race at all. But this year, the Rotary members' plan is to embrace the hill and welcome the challenges that it brings.
"I think in the past it has discouraged people from running. It tends to make people shy away from it a bit," said Rotary member Rod Caborn. "We are trying to turn it around; it is a beautiful course. We want to go with it, instead of underplaying it"
Whether the hill has drawn or discouraged more runners over the past 22 years, it certainly is a monumental part of the race for participants like Gardina.
"The hill is the toughest part of the course — but it is the part that I look forward to the most," said Gardina, last year's top finisher. "Everyone has to deal with it and go through the struggle. It unites everyone as a team"
This year the race organizers are stressing the community aspect of the race, and are trying to bring people together on the course as well as bring out more families to the event.
Race day activities include a 1k run for kids at 8 a.m. as well as a pancake breakfast. The 10k is at 8:30 a.m. It usually attracts around 400 participants and includes numerous awards and prizes.
| "It's going to be a lot of fun. If you walk the hill, that is totally fine," said Caborn. "It is a very community oriented event, we want to invite the whole community to enjoy it. It is a Santa Cruz treasure" |
Contact Rafael Rangell at rafrangell@calmail.berkeley.edu.
If you go: Firecracker 10k
WHEN: July 4th, 10k at 8:30 a.m., kids 1k at 8 a.m., pancake breakfast follows.
WHERE: Harvey West ParkREGISTER: Sign up on race day at 7 a.m. or at www.active.com
ON THE NET: www.santacruzfirecracker10k.org
