What's newFestival to debut its newest event: A 5K run
Two years after Grape Festival organizers decided to discontinue the parade, Lodi Grape Festival Board of Directors Member Tom Hoffman says a replacement event has been found.
The Lodi Grape Festival and Harvest Fair’s first 5K run will makes its debut this year.
“We didn’t have as much community support or the number of entrees in the parade,” said Hoffman, the Racing Committee chair. “We were looking for something else to do and this occurred to us.”
The run, which begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19, will start and end at the Festival Grounds, at 413 E. Lockeford St., with a course that Hoffman describes as a “lollipop with a figure eight in the middle.”
Once participants leave the Festival Grounds they will move along Calaveras Street on down to Lockeford Street then through Downtown Lodi to Washington Street.
Runners will then move west to Elm Street, south on Crescent Street down to Walnut Street and East on Hutchins Street.
The course then heads east on Hutchins Street, north on Pine Street and East on Stockton Street.
Runners will then run down Stockton Street around the Grape Bowl and back to the Festival Grounds ending at the Calaveras Street entrance.
“A band will be on stage at the end of the race,” Hoffman said. “People can also recharge with festival food.”
Registration is $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event, which begins at 7 a.m. with a variety of pre race events. Fees include a free T-shirt and festival admission along with water bottles, power bars and Gatorade which will be provided by General Mills.
Age divisions for men and women include:
• 19 and under
• 20-29 years old
• 30-39 years old
• 40-49 year olds
• 50-59 year olds
• 60-69 year olds
• 70 and over
Hoffman said that Capitol Road Races Inc. will conduct the event, including sending out a large mailing list to possible participants.
“We’re anticipating 30-50 participants,” he said. “If we had over 50 or 100 then the event would be a total success.”
Hoffman added that future events could include a 10K run.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “And the event has a lot of potential.”
For more information contact the Grape Festival office at 369-2771 or the organization’s Web site at www.grapefestival.com .
