By Alex Parducci
Staff Writer
and Zack Rosenfeld
News Intern
On Saturday, June 5, the Gators will be on the run.
The Grand View Gator Run, started in 1995 by the school’s PTA, was originally a small fundraiser with the purpose of promoting fitness and raising funds for the school.
After 10 years, as the run’s popularity grew, Grand View’s PTA made the decision to donate all of its proceeds to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation to support grades K-12 in Manhattan Beach schools.
“I think that the Grand View Gator Run is a great way to raise money for MBEF schools, especially now, with all the budget cuts that are going on,” sophomore Caitlin McGough said.
Even though most of the local elementary schools currently have their own fundraisers, Grand View’s 5k still remains the largest fundraiser in terms of participation among all of the Manhattan Beach elementary schools. It draws in over 1,300 participants a year and is also the most successful fundraiser, bringing in over $100,000 in the last two years alone.
“It is amazing how much Grand View has achieved with the run alone. 1,300 participants is a lot of runners. It will be interesting to see how many show up this year, ” junior Caitlin Lombardo said.
In celebration of its 15 years, Ralph’s grocery store is donating reusable bags full of goodies and coupons, and the artwork on the T-shirts will be the same design as the first one 15 years ago. But the event’s anniversery won’t be the only landmark.
“Doug Bond, a Grand View dad, will be running in his 15th Gator Run. He has participated every year, first as a community member and, in the past six years, as a Grand View parent,” run coordinator Margot Farris said.
Also, the top three men and top three women will receive prizes, and all children will get wristbands at the finish line.
In addition, there will be a mini “Gator Course” for children that are ages seven and under, that is half the size of the regular route. At the end of the race, Grand View will have an awards ceremony where the L.A. Kings will be present and the Mira Costa cheerleaders will perform.
“I think it is great that the schools sponsor the event, and it is really a great time. It is a nice run, until the big hill at the end,” Mira Costa parent Marian Drahnak said.
To register for the run, participants can go online to the websites www.active.com or to gvpta.com and click on the Gator Run link. In addition, participants can call the Gator Run Hotline at 310-546-8022. Late registration and packet pick-up will take place June 4.
“I love doing the Grandview Gator Run every year because I think it is really good exercise and a fun way to hang out with your friends,” Grand View third grader Josh Gaudiano said.
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