What a weekend we just had! As some of you might perhaps be aware, the fourth Sunday in July tends to be pretty eventful around here. This year 16,000 runners— among them elites from the other side of the world, locals who run or walk only this race, and pretty much everyone in between— toed the line for the 42nd annual Wharf to Wharf.
As always, SCTC kept busy before, during, and after the big event. For the second year in a row, we had a tent in the finish area where members could rendez-vous to recap their races and coordinate jogging or bussing home. We also hosted and chauffeured a bunch of world class athletes (many from as far away as East Africa) under the auspices of Wharf to Wharf's "Racemate" program, and somehow found the time to party it up chez Delucchi— another Wharf to Wharf tradition.
As always, SCTC kept busy before, during, and after the big event. For the second year in a row, we had a tent in the finish area where members could rendez-vous to recap their races and coordinate jogging or bussing home. We also hosted and chauffeured a bunch of world class athletes (many from as far away as East Africa) under the auspices of Wharf to Wharf's "Racemate" program, and somehow found the time to party it up chez Delucchi— another Wharf to Wharf tradition.
And of course, a few of us ran. The weather was warmer and more humid than usual this year, which made the course's dips and ups a little tough, but it was perfect for swimming at the post-race party. We're pretty sure that while everyone else was socializing, the amazing Ray Disparati was already compiling the Track Club's results— and he redid the job once Wharf to Wharf released official times (see below for complete list). We had 90 members complete this year's race, eleven of whom took home coveted Top 100 jackets. Luc Bouchard, Alex Condotti, Margaret Fahl, Michelle Kern, Mary Meleta-Wright, Shoshanah Orzech, Cate Ratliff, Lucas Vessy, Jenn Willoughby, Alexandra Young, and Michael Young— you guys are awesome! We're also super proud of the runners who completed our Wharf to Wharf training program with the goal of running their best race, and of all the SCTC members who came out to run, walk, or cheer.
Whether you worked hard for weeks or months in hopes of snagging a PR on race day, or just came out to enjoy Santa Cruz's best six-mile party, you represented the spirit of our SCTC family at an event that celebrates and supports our community. And speaking of our SCTC family, a huge shout-out to Wharf to Wharf Race Director (and SCTC Board Member) Scott McConville for a giant job very, very well done.
Whether you worked hard for weeks or months in hopes of snagging a PR on race day, or just came out to enjoy Santa Cruz's best six-mile party, you represented the spirit of our SCTC family at an event that celebrates and supports our community. And speaking of our SCTC family, a huge shout-out to Wharf to Wharf Race Director (and SCTC Board Member) Scott McConville for a giant job very, very well done.
Some other individuals whose super-awesome work was in evidence on Sunday include Michelle Zelena, who coached our Wharf to Wharf training program with support from Michelle Kern; Luke DeBrito and Joyce Parr, who manned and womanned (respectively) our finish area tent; and the indomitable Nancy Wilburn and Greg Hales, who found rides and rooms for all the elite athletes who came to town for the race. Of course, big thanks to all the families who hosted them and all the individuals who helped get them to and from the airport, too! As post-race party hostess with the mostess Diane Delucchi would say, GO TEAM!