May 1, 2008

Ready, set, get going

Pat’s Run takes off this Saturday

By Carol Rosen
Editor

This Saturday marks the fourth Pat’s Run, a fundraiser that does more than raise money to help students. It also engages the community in a healthy and fun activity.

Runners and walkers line up at the starting point at the 2007 Pat’s Run at Leland High School. Photo by John Medina Photography

Since its inception, the race has grown sharply with 6,000 runners signing up to run last year in Almaden, where Pat Tillman grew up. Its proceeds, both here and in Phoenix, Ariz. where Tillman went to college and started his football career, help inspire and educate young people who want to make positive changes in themselves and the world. The funds raised here are dedicated to Bay Area students selected as Tillman Scholars.

And, there is still time to register. Runners and walkers can register for $30 in person at Leland High School’s Pat Tillman Stadium, on Friday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. The fee is $30. Registration and packet pick up is at the stadium through the Via Valiente gate. Leland is located at 6677 Camden Ave.

A special 0.42-mile Kids Run for children under 12 will also be held at the stadium for free. Those who register for this run also receive a free T-shirt.

The 4.2-mile course begins on Via Valiente, just east of Leland High School’s Pat Tillman Stadium, onto Turnbridge Way, right onto Shearwater Lane onto Carrabelle Way to Brooktree Court, Bret Harte Drive to Queenswood Way to Hampswood Way to OGrady Drive onto Almaden Expressway to Harry Road and from there to Camden Avenue back to Via Valiente to finish at the 42-yard line in the stadium.

Racers are encouraged to carpool, walk or bike to the start area. Shuttles, sponsored by Guinness will be available from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 9 to 10 a.m. for participants and volunteers. There is parking at the high school and at Bret Harte Middle School, 7050 Bret Harte Drive. Shuttles will run from the Brittania Arms at Robertsville Square, 5027 Almaden Expressway and South Hills Community Church at 6601 Camden Ave.

Other features of the race are a special kids area with balloon artists, face painting, temporary tattoos, jump houses, prizes, Gigante from the San Jose Giants along with other local sports mascots and popcorn and snow cones.

There will also be a post-race celebration and fundraiser hosed by Britannia Arms with lunch sponsored by Sierra Nevada and Guinness for volunteers and participants. The restaurant will also have auction items available for bidding including professional sports memorabilia and the opportunity to buy at Pint for Pat, with proceeds benefiting the Pat Tillman Foundation.

A number of people have volunteered to help make the race work including the Leland High School students and staff, AT&T, Blockbuster, Girls on the Run, KLA-Tencor’s RAPID Division, San Francisco Bay Area Gator Club, San Jose State University Student Athletes, Santa Clara County Justice Training Center and Sun Microsystems.

A number of businesses and donors offered services, contributions and support including Acer American Corp. Affordable Treasures, All Stars Helping Kids, American Medical Response, Astro Events, Balloonatics, Steve and Jae Kim from Baskin Robbins, Clif Bar, Nicole Cheri, Costco, Councilmember Nancy Pyle and staff, Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Santa Clara County, Jamba Juice, John Medina Photography, Luckys, Maple Leaf Donuts, ME Fox, Rick Milam, Normandin Chrysler Jeep, PW Supermarket, Safeway Foundation, San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Ice Company, San Jose Search and Rescue, Signs Now, Sobrato Development Companies, ViSalus Neuro™ and Wyndham San Jose.