Great Race of Agoura gears up again
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

For the 16th consecutive year, elementary schools from Oak Park and Agoura Hills are preparing for a running event that generates money for the schools; it’s called the Great Race of Agoura. Brookside Elementary, Oak Hills Elementary and Red Oak Elementary are three from Oak Park Unified School District involved in the Great Race. Willow Elementary and Yerba Buena Elementary are the two Las Virgenes’ schools.

The event has grown substantially each year. Last year’s Great Race hosted more than 5,000 participants. Organizers this year anticipate a similar turnout. The race will take place on Sat., Feb. 24 at Agoura High School.

Races begin at the high school. Some continue north on Kanan Road through Oak Park. Races for novices, just for fun and for serious contenders are planned.

"It’s just wonderful," said Anne Goehring, member of the steering committee that organizes the race.

Goehring loves the event and said her volunteer work is a year-round effort. She is one of two volunteers per school involved in finding sponsors to fund the event.

Once sponsors are acquired and the event is financially secure, all further proceeds, such as the fees given to race, (youth $10, adult $12, additional races $5 each) are then divided evenly between the five elementary schools.

"The money goes into the PTA," said Goehring. "It goes to a bazillion things."

There have been a couple years in which sponsors have backed out and the event wasn’t financially secure. In those cases, entry fees were applied directly to the cost of holding the race, but even on those occasions, there were proceeds to share between the schools.

The Great Race includes four runs. The first race, which begins at 7:30 a.m, is the 5K, the second race is the 2K and begins at 8:15 a.m., and the third race is the 10K. It begins at 8:30 a.m.

All three of these races are certified by the American Track and Field and are considered official warm-up races for the L.A. Marathon. Winners of the three races will also be presented with individual medals for first female and first male runners, and in separate age categories.

Beginning at 10 a.m. is another 2K race, but just for fun and it can be walked. Throughout the day, vendors will offer a food court to feed guests and participants.

"It’s the best part of the race," said Goehring, who added that many people enjoy the fair-like atmosphere.

T-shirts and sweatshirts will also be available for $10 to $18 which includes the registration fee.

For more information or to register, call (805) 320-0020, write to: The Great Race, PMB 343, 5699 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 or go to www.opusd.k-12.ca.us and hit the Great Race site.