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Rotary's 19th annual Spirit Run set for Sunday
Popular family event raises money for scholarships

by Jeb Bing

More than 1,300 runners are expected to be downtown Sunday for the 19th annual Father's Day Spirit Run, hosted by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton.

Main Street will be closed from 5 a.m. until about 11 a.m. between Del Valle Parkway and Neal Street to accommodate the runners.

The Rotary Father's Day tradition has continued to grow as runners, their children and families participate in either a 10K run or 5K walk or run, as well as a kids' challenge.

The 10K run will start promptly at 8 a.m. under the Pleasanton Arch, followed by the 5K run at 8:20. The courses wind through Pleasanton neighborhoods, the Alameda County Fairgrounds and on trails along the Arroyo del Valle.

Traffic also will be slowed by partial lane closures along the race courses, affecting part of Valley Avenue, Paseo Santa Cruz, Del Valle Parkway, Division Street and St. Mary Street between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.

Three separate Kid's Challenge Races, for children ages 2-8, include a number of 100-yard dashes on Main Street, finishing right underneath the Arch.

Trophies will go to the top male and female finishers in designated age groups.

Registration will take place in the Round Table Pizza parking lot starting at 7 a.m. June 17. Fees are $40 for adults and high school students; $30 for those in elementary and middle school; $15 for ages 2-8 in the Kid's Challenge; and $30 each for families of four or more.

Proceeds will go to support the Rotary Club of Pleasanton's scholarship program. In the last 12 years, more than $350,000 has been raised for scholarships to deserving Pleasanton graduates who need financial help to attend college. This month, club representatives presented $24,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors at Pleasanton high schools during an awards ceremony.

The Father's Day Spirit Run is sponsored by Sensiba San Filippo LLP, a Bay Area accounting firm with an office in Pleasanton.