The Finish Line: Now that spring is finally here with the posies
in bloom, it’s time again to lace up those running shoes and dash
outside and join the hordes racing down the Morgan Hill streets
Sunday in the American Association of University Women Wildflower
Run. The 28th annual footraces are a Morgan Hill tradition, which
is one of my favorites on my calendar I don’t dare to miss, as a
race T-shirt junkie.
Now that spring is finally here with the posies in bloom, it’s time again to lace up those running shoes and dash outside and join the hordes racing down the Morgan Hill streets Sunday in the American Association of University Women Wildflower Run.
The 28th annual footraces are a Morgan Hill tradition, which is one of my favorites on my calendar I don’t dare to miss, as a race T-shirt junkie.
“Each year we have an original design done for the T-shirt and all logo material like registration forms, postcards, posters,” former race director Barbara Palmer said.
“The Wildflower Run has been tailored to be a wonderful event held in a small town amidst the spring wildflowers. During the first few years of the run members actually went out to sow wildflower seeds along the route so the runners could enjoy them along the way!”
The event is funded by business sponsors and by individual member donations. The money goes to scholarships for girls in school and is tax-deductible. One notable sponsor is Jamba Juice, owned by Brian and Katie Howard. They provide all registered runners with a complimentary smoothie after the run.
I admit I do the run for the delicious Jamba strawberry drink at the end.
Most of the volunteers and workers are from AAUW. “I have volunteered at the WFR every year since I moved to Morgan Hill in 1999 except for one year when I was out of town,” Carol O’Hare said. “All branch members are encouraged to help in some way, either the day of the race or ahead of time. This year, since we’re now using electronic chip timing provided by South Valley Endurance, I will help with registration in addition to publicity.”
This year’s race director, Yvonne Duckett, said: “We’d like to see over 1,000 runners and walkers come out and enjoy a run through beautiful scenic Morgan Hill. Last year we had over 900 participants in our 2K Kids Run, 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run.
“I personally enjoy running,” Duckett added. “We have infants in strollers, pushed by their energetic parents. … Running my heart out, I have been passed by infants. It is a humbling experience. We have runners over 75 who astound me with their vitality. My husband was thrilled to run next to Mayor Steve Tate in last year’s run. We have a Wildflower Walk this year because of Inga Alonzo.”
Walker Alonzo explained, “I have a lot of coworkers and friends who prefer walking to running also and know the benefits of walking are different from those of running. Running is great for cardiovascular health and walking is a better fat-calorie burning workout for those trying to maintain or lose weight. Then there are all of those thousand of overweight Americans who are encouraged to start with walking to begin weight loss. … I think the Walk category helps encourage more newcomers each year to not feel intimidated by the Run category.”
Putting on a race isn’t easy. Palmer shared about some of them.
“We use flexibility and problem-solving to get through the many challenges of the run. We have coped with pouring rain, scorching heat, construction on run routes, and most notably a man with a shotgun who was not happy that the run was going past his house!”
The hard-working AAUW ladies don’t let anything deter them from putting on a hometown treat for all ages.
Joe LoBianco wrote to organizers, asking to add an 80-age division.
“I am 83 years old and am interested in participating in the 5K Wildflower Run on April 10. Have noted the 5K run division awards state the last category as 70 plus. I participated in over 20 races in 2010 and 7 races so far this year and all but one have had award divisions of 80 and over. It is difficult for us octogenarians to compete with those 70 year olds. Besides, more and more of us oldies are participating these days and it is nice to compete with our peers.”
