The 3rd Annual Gator Run is on April 26th at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park at 0730 in Simi Valley, CA.  Register by mail or online.  Race distances are 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run/Walk, and brand new Healthy Kids 1-mile Fun Run!

Oh.  I’m sorry.  This race benefits deployed military personnel and I reverted back to my military writing style.  That first paragraph is your BLUF:  Bottom Line Up Front.  Military people are so busy.

So like I said, the 3rd Annual Gator Run benefits the non-profit organization For the Troops which makes care packages to send to troops deployed overseas.  After returning from a 15-month tour in Iraq I was asked, “What should we send deployed soldiers?”  I thought about all the things that were sent to my unit like food, toiletries, and books.  These were all very nice, but what really mattered to us was knowing that someone cared and was thinking about us back in the States; plus the excitement of getting and opening a box.  So I told her to send a huge box, filled with anything, even balloons, and a personal note.  The show of support is what really matters.  Participating in the 3rd Annual Gator Run and/or donating to For the Troops is a great way to support our military men and women currently deployed overseas.  Events like this let them know that their hard work is not forgotten.

But don’t run this race just to support America and its troops, do it because it is a great event!  These 5k and 10k races are made for all types of runners:  beginners, recreational athletes, local heroes, walkers, you name it.  It is also a great LA Marathon taper!  Run this race and attain a new 5k or 10k PR!  If you’d rather save your PR for the LA Marathon then run this race for the other great things it has to offer like the free commemorative pins to first 500 entrants.  Not to mention the free souvenir t-shirt, goodie bag, “Buy one, Get one Free” ticket to the 20th Annual Cajun Creole Music Festival and more with every registration.  There is a special military division with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  They also have prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall male and female in each race and medals being awarded for each age group.  Leverage your marathon training and win a prize!

The registration fee is only $25 if you do it now.  You actually have two more days to do it before the entry fee goes up to $30 on April 10th.  It’s cool to be frugal these days.  Be cool and register now.  Save that $5 for when you go to packet pick up at Simi Valley Town Center Mall Food Court to buy your pre-race lunch filled with tons of carbohydrates and a bit of protein.  Hang out at the Health and Fitness Expo.  The 2-Day Health and Fitness Expo begins on Saturday, April 25th at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall with pre-registration, vendor booths, free samples and much more.  Saturday expo hours are 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

So support the troops, attain a PR, and have a beautiful Sunday morning by running the 3rd Annual Gator Run!  Your Uncle Sam wants you…to run this race.

This year on March14th will be the inaugural race of the Bandit14K/30K Trail Run in Simi Valley, CA.  The race promoters estimate 100 to 200 runners to participate in this first time event.  The race starts in Corriganville Park, running over mountains in single-track switchback, at one point you can see the ocean from 2600 ft. above sea level!