First-ever Elings Terrain Festival supporting local runners

Three rival high school cross country programs (Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara, and San Marcos) are joining together to raise raise funds for the sport they enjoy.

On Saturday, December 14th, student athletes will volunteer for, as well as participate in, this multi-event trail racing festival to be held at Elings Park in Santa Barbara. All net proceeds will benefit the park and the cross country programs at each school.

ElingsTerrainFest

EVENT DETAILS:


WHERE: Elings Park
WHEN: Saturday, December 14 (Registration at 8:45 a.m.)
WHO: Public is welcome
EVENTS: 5K run, 3K kids run, 3K dog run
WHY: Help raise money for local high school
cross country programs at DPHS, SMHS, SBHS
WEBSITE: Find more information at?ElingsTerrain.com

The event is open to the public, and unlike most charity runs, the Elings Terrain Festival routes are on trails (not hard pavement) comprised of dirt, grass, and sand. There is a 5K route open to runners of all abilities, a 3K kids run (parents can run with their kids), and a 3K dog run.

After the races, the party gets started with food catered by head chef Eric Widmer (La Cumbre Country Club) and Sushi Teri. Beverages, live music, awards for top finishers, and a raffle will round out the day. Registration starts at 8:45 with the first race (started by Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider) beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Online registration is available at ElingsTerrain.com

?I started this event because I wanted to give back to the programs that have meant so much to my boys?, says event organizer Paul Bradford. Bradford has sons who have run at San Marcos and Santa Barbara high schools, and he is in his final year as a cross country parent.

Bradford adds, ?At every parent meeting for the last 8 years, coaches have told us about funding problems. So I decided to create a sustaining event that would help raise money, bring rival teams together, and give the broader Santa Barbara running community an opportunity to support the next generation of runners?.

Funds raised will help pay for team transportation expenses, race costs, and/or assistant coach stipends. In addition to Bradford, the event is backed by head coaches Olivia Perdices (SB), Lawrence Stehmeier (SM), and Leslie Wiggins-Roth (DP) and parent volunteers.