New Decade for Will Rogers Race

It’s been 31 summers since the inaugural Palisades-Will Rogers 10K was run here in Pacific Palisades and since then the race has become as much of a Fourth of July tradition as the parade in the afternoon and the fireworks at night. Next Friday, hundreds upon hundreds of Palisadians will wake up early, lace up their sneakers and head to the Palisades Recreation Center for their run through the streets of Huntington Palisades and, if they’re even braver, on to the grueling switchbacks of Will Rogers State Park. Pre-registration is still going on for the 31st annual race, which will begin at 8:15 a.m. on July 4 at the intersection of Alma Real and Toyopa drives. In recent years the 5K race has been dominated by Palisades’ own Peter Gilmore, but all four of last year’s winners were from out of town. Pre-registration continues through tomorrow, July 27, and costs $30 for the 5/10K or $20 for the Kids’ Fun Run, now in its 13th year. Pre-registration packet pick-up will be next Wednesday and Thursday, July 2-3, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bentons The Sport Shop (1038 Swarthmore Avenue). Replacing Coldwell Banker as the title sponsor this year is Pacific Palisades Bank and the corporate sponsor will once again be William E. Simon and Sons. Other sponsors include the Santa Monica Orthopedic Group and Sports Medicine Group and Arrowhead Water. The race is presented by the Palisades-Will Rogers Ridge Runners and the Palisades Optimist Club. The 5K (3.1 miles) is a flat while the 10K is a hilly trek regarded as one of the toughest 6.2-mile courses in California. Online registration is also available through next Tuesday, July 1. All checks should be made payable to Brian Shea, 15332 Antioch Street #340, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. To download an entry form or to register online, visit the race Web site at www.palisades10k.com. Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at a cost of $40 for the 5/10K and $25 for the Kids’ Fun Run. Despite sweltering heat, last year’s race attracted 2,623 registered runners’1,373 in the 5K and 990 in the 10K’and coordinator Brian Shea is hoping for cooler weather that might make for an even bigger field this time: “I would hope it’s not as warm as this last weekend was,” he said on Tuesday. “The great thing is that now people have a choice. When we first started this race it was only a 10K. Now, if it’s hot runners can always choose to run the 5K instead.” Shea has served as race director every year since it started in 1978 and what keeps him coming back year after year is his satisfaction in seeing fellow Palisadians enjoying themselves on America’s birthday. “The entire day is great for the community and the race is an opportunity to start the day off right,” said Shea, who added that Station 69 paramedics Ed Strange (who is retiring the day after the race) and Dane Coyle will be the official race starters (look for a story in next week’s issue). The race committee will have a plaque presentation next Thursday night at Station 69.