The annual Bill Flodberg Mt. Madonna Challenge will be held this year on Saturday August 25th. Tracy Christensen is the marketing director for the race and describes it this way:
The Mt. Madonna Challenge is a remarkably enduring event. Now in its 37th consecutive year, the race has bounced among different organizations who have all used it as a major fundraiser. Now managed by South Valley Running Club, the race raises money to fund scholarships bestowed by the club to two youths annually. (This year’s outstanding scholarship recipients are Camila Rico and Martin Ettema, of Morgan Hill and Gilroy.) Two years ago the official name was changed to Bill Flodberg Mt. Madonna Challenge, in honor of Bill Flodberg runner, teacher, coach, outdoor enthusiast, writer, philanthropist, innovator, fund raiser, husband, stepfather, and friend. An avid runner who trained on the roads and trails of San Martin and Gilroy, Bill was the original organizer and race director of the Mt. Madonna Challenge.
The MMC race is actually 4 races of 6/12/18/or 30k. Beginners can enter the 6 or 12k and more advanced runners can enter the 18 or 30k races. All races start at the Sprig Lake Picnic Area off Highway 152 just west of Gilroy. As Tracy describes it:
Runners, we want you! Come experience the beauty, the thrill and the challenge of Mt. Madonna for yourselves on August 25. Don’t let the mountain intimidate you. With the four distance options, there is something for everyone…from beginner to advanced trail competitor.
You can find out more about the race and how to enter at the following links:
http://www.svrchome.org/mtmadonnachallenge.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mt-Madonna-Challenge-Run/364862386891892
http://www.svetiming.com/SVRC/events/2012/37-Annual-Bill-Flodberg-Mt-Madonna-Challenge
Just run.
Chuck
