If running shoes and running shorts don’t make you excited, maybe a warmup in a jump suit to “Rocky” will.
The coordinators of the June 29 Homer Spit Run are committed to making all the participants feel like Sylvester Stallone.
“The goal this year is to make the run fun and festive for everyone, from the top placing runners to the stroller walkers and volunteers,” said Mary Kate Green, one of the event coordinators.
The registered 10K race will begin at the Homer High School track, where bib pickup and registration also will occur.
“There will be music to get the people pumped up for the race. I mean, who doesn’t want to warm up to a race to ‘Rocky?’” asked Green.
New to the race this year is a chase truck that will allow participants to store a change of clothes and other belongings on the truck which will be available at the race’s finish line at Land’s End.
The course will wind through Homer and out to the end of the Spit. There will be three water stations, each with its own sponsor: Homer Senior Citizens, the Girl Scouts and the Homer Diva hockey team.
“In the past we had water stations manned by random volunteers. This year we thought it would be a good idea to spice it up and get themed groups to come out and distribute water to the thirsty runners,” said Green.
To add spice to the day and even some friendly competition, there will be a prize for the best water station awarded at the post race party at Land’s End.
The post race party will be held on the outside deck pending weather. Grilled burgers will be served, plus there will be a beer garden, live music and door prizes for participants and non-participants.
“We are trying to make this a community celebration where families can enjoy as well as non-runners,” said Andrea Petersen, another event coordinator.
Petersen and Green have experience running in large races in the Lower 48. They used those experiences as a framework for improving the Homer Spit Run this year.
“The races you see down in the Lower 48 have thousands of people that attend. They had to start somewhere and that is what we are trying to do here in Homer,” said Petersen.
The annual race is sponsored by the city of Homer Community Recreation program, Kachemak Bay Running Club, South Peninsula Hospital and the Homer News. Twenty-five percent of the profits will go to the Kachemak Bay Running Club to organize future runs, and the other 75 percent will go to supporting youth running in the Homer community.
“The Kachemak Bay Running Club was formed by passionate runners in the community to help manage existing races in a professional manner and support running at the youth level,” said member Bill Steyer.
The club has allowed Homer to continuing running official race events with its connection to The Running Club of America, which gives them liability insurance. The Spit Run starts at 10 a.m.; the finish line is at Land’s End. Buses will be available to shuttle runners back to the race start at 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Registration is from 8-9:30 a.m. Cost is $10 for youth, $15 for adults and $25 for families.
Homer Spit Run
When: 10 a.m. June 29
Start: Homer High
School Track
Finish: Land’s End Resort,
a post-race party will follow
Registration:
Online: Until June 26
at homernews.com.
Race-day: 8-9:30 a.m.
Entry fees:
$10 for 17 years and under,
$15 for those over 17 and
$25 for a family registration.
Proceeds benefit local
youth running programs.
To volunteer:
Call Community Recreation at 235-6090. Volunteers are needed to help work the water stations and cheer on the runners.
Race Sponsors:
City of Homer Parks and Recreation, Kachemak Bay Running Club, South Peninsula Hospital and Homer News
