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It’s a colorful spectacle unlike any other in far northern California – or most other places big and small.
Participants, entertainers, runners, volunteers, and folks just watching pack the streets of Mount Shasta each July 4th morning for the Mountain Runners Fourth of July Walk/Run.
You can see the smiles for a mile along the two-mile walk course on Pine Street, as thousands of walkers are entertained while passing a long line (35 to 40 acts) of musicians, dancers, martial arts practitioners and a roving band of jugglers, roller derby girls, clowns and other circus acts – “all kinds of freaks,” according to Paula Reynolds, who coordinates that part of the show.
Some 25 local restaurants will set up their booths to dish out gourmet food samples along the path, Tom Morris usually sky dives to a safe landing at Mercy Medical Center, and somewhere nearby, some very fast runners from near and far are pounding the pavement in a five-mile race that features a tough uphill closing stretch.
Good times and good vibes in the alpine air. Thousands of people will be wearing this year’s wildflower t-shirt, with a design created by local artist Cindy Summers.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised and donated by the Mountain Runners for beautification projects and other worthwhile causes from the event’s first 31 years.
A registration ticket also secures a raffle chance at winning one of many high quality prizes, including a new car – this year it’s a 2011 Kia Soul. But you have to be there in the swollen crowd at the Castle Street stage, no matter how hot the temperature, to be a winner. And there’s little time to get there if your name is called.
Race director Jim Parker’s amplified voice is a constant in the stage area, from early in the morning until the last award is presented, the final prize claimed, just before the annual parade begins.
Happy birthday, America. “Where else can you experience our country’s birthday like this,” Dr. Parker said in a recent interview that included overall event coordinator Marcia Smith.
Parker, one of the event’s founders, marvels at what he estimates to be 600 to 750 volunteers who contribute, many of them returning year after year – often to do the same job. He and Smith spread thanks in many directions for the sponsors without whom the spirited procession might come to a halt.
It’s a colorful spectacle unlike any other in far northern California – or most other places big and small.
Participants, entertainers, runners, volunteers, and folks just watching pack the streets of Mount Shasta each July 4th morning for the Mountain Runners Fourth of July Walk/Run.
You can see the smiles for a mile along the two-mile walk course on Pine Street, as thousands of walkers are entertained while passing a long line (35 to 40 acts) of musicians, dancers, martial arts practitioners and a roving band of jugglers, roller derby girls, clowns and other circus acts – “all kinds of freaks,” according to Paula Reynolds, who coordinates that part of the show.
Some 25 local restaurants will set up their booths to dish out gourmet food samples along the path, Tom Morris usually sky dives to a safe landing at Mercy Medical Center, and somewhere nearby, some very fast runners from near and far are pounding the pavement in a five-mile race that features a tough uphill closing stretch.
Good times and good vibes in the alpine air. Thousands of people will be wearing this year’s wildflower t-shirt, with a design created by local artist Cindy Summers.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised and donated by the Mountain Runners for beautification projects and other worthwhile causes from the event’s first 31 years.
A registration ticket also secures a raffle chance at winning one of many high quality prizes, including a new car – this year it’s a 2011 Kia Soul. But you have to be there in the swollen crowd at the Castle Street stage, no matter how hot the temperature, to be a winner. And there’s little time to get there if your name is called.
Race director Jim Parker’s amplified voice is a constant in the stage area, from early in the morning until the last award is presented, the final prize claimed, just before the annual parade begins.
Happy birthday, America. “Where else can you experience our country’s birthday like this,” Dr. Parker said in a recent interview that included overall event coordinator Marcia Smith.
Parker, one of the event’s founders, marvels at what he estimates to be 600 to 750 volunteers who contribute, many of them returning year after year – often to do the same job. He and Smith spread thanks in many directions for the sponsors without whom the spirited procession might come to a halt.
A new major sponsor for the 32nd annual Walk/Run in 2011 is Ramshaw’s Ace Hardware.
Sponsor Ray’s Food Place will be wearing t-shirts during the event.
The overall sponsor is Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta.
Sponsors include Scott Valley Bank, Northland Communications, Edward Jones, Siskiyou Arts Council, Dr. Todd Guthrie MD, KCWH FM, and Mount Shasta Area Newspapers.
Crystal Geyser is stepping in this year to donate somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 to 7,000 bottles of water.
Contributors include Kevin Lahey Photography, Ron’s Furniture, The Crystal Shop, Sportsmen’s Den, Jon Thomas Jewelry, Village Books, Mt. Shasta Tire, Mt. Shasta Ski Park, John’s Satellite, Pedals, Round Table Pizza, Tess Clardy – the list goes on and on.
Literally hundreds of volunteers contribute including:
Coordinators Paul Engstrom on the five mile course, Sean Doyle on the two mile course, Jim Patterson with logistics, Annette Navarre at the two-mile youth race finish line, Joyce Gray with results, Susan Keeler and Rich Renouf at the five mile finish line, Dusty Miller and the US Forest Service with entertainer platforms, Keith Ronge on entertainment, Tami Frisbie and the swim team, Paula Reynolds with live entertainment, Dolores Lendrum and Lesa Michel with restaurants, the Trail Association which works with General Produce for post-race sustenance, and message therapists including Janet Biondi.
“Between the number of volunteers on the course and those who work beforehand – it’s an incredible number,” said Smith, adding that anybody who would like to help is welcome.
Local sports teams also get involved, working the course to help support their programs, including the swim team, and various high school teams.
This year’s event will again raise funds for the downtown park the Mountain Runners hope to see come to fruition in the next year or two in the now empty parking area near the intersection of Mt. Shasta Blvd. and Alma Street.
Parker said a subcommittee is considering ideas for the park, including a fountain, gazebo, trees and plants.
It is the newest in a series of projects funded by the Walk/Run over the past 32 years, a list that has swollen to well over $400,000 in donations. The projects include:
• West Castle Street trees – Maple, Aspen and Liquidambar trees.
• East Castle Street trees and planters.
• 354 trees on Mt Shasta Blvd.
• Lights in trees on Mt Shasta Blvd.
• Benches and planter boxes on Mt Shasta Blvd.
• Planning money for proposed Lake Siskiyou Trail
• Mini-park and kiosk on Mt Shasta Blvd.
• 33 Classical Street Lamps on Mt Shasta Blvd.
• Downtown Sound System
• Downtown Street clock and thermometer
• Benches and trash receptacles downtown on Mt Shasta Blvd and Chestnut St.
• Lake St. median strip landscaping
• Mt Shasta City Hall Plaza
• Downtown Hanging Flower Baskets
• Downtown Thermometer
• Sisson Meadows restoration
• Industrial lighting (LED) in downtown trees
• Snowmobile for Nordic Ski Track
• Mt Shasta Skate Board Park
• Mt Shasta Ice Rink
• North Mt Shasta Blvd Triangle
• New industrial lighting in downtown trees on Mt Shasta Blvd.
This year’s event begins the morning of July 4th in the heart of downtown Mount Shasta. To register, visit www.mtshastarunners.com or call 530-925-0251 for information.
