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The Walnut Valley Unified School District is making a run for the money this Sunday with its second annual 5k and 1k benefit event at Diamond Bar High School.
Last year, the fundraiser brought in over $60,000 to the district, according to district spokesperson Kelli Gile, and over 2,300 runners and walkers participated.
Event coordinator Jean Hicks said that the event had over 700 participants signed up by Monday — over twice as many as the Monday before the event last year.
Hicks said the event was "inundated" with participants showing up on race day last year, so organizers are working to get the word out about early registration and have also raised the price for day-of registration $10 over the pre-registration price.
Hicks said she felt that the community showed strong support last year as the district began to bear the brunt of state budget cuts.
"Last year was a high spirit event because everyone was really feeling the budget crunch and it was a time for everyone to come together," Hicks said.
Proceeds from the event will be distributed to the schools based, in part, on daily attendance of the school as well as volunteer participation to help set up and run the event.
The proceeds are given as unrestricted donations to each school site by the Walnut Valley Education Foundation. Gile said in a press release that last year's funds helped pay for things such as bussing to sports events, music supplies, school websites, document cameras, MOBI computer tablets, and teacher grants.
The Sunday race will begin at 8 a.m. at Diamond Bar High School.
On Saturday, participants can pick up racing bibs, register for the event, load up on carbs with a pasta meal, and hear a student music showcase from noon to 6 p.m. at Walnut High School.
District schools will also be competiting for the prized School Spirit Cup, awarded to one elementary, middle, and high school.
Last year, for example, Evergreen Elementary won the elementary spirit award which had over 100 students registered after Principal Dr. Don Trimmer offered students an organized water gun fight if more than 100 students registered.
For more information about the event, call 909-444-3490 or visit the district website.
Registration can be completed online at the event's page at active.com.
Pre-registration pricing:
5k for 18 and over: $25
5k for students 18 and under: $15
1k children's fun run: $10