The challenging and fun 38th annual Dammit Run, benefitting local sports programs, will take place at 8:30 a.m., next Saturday, Aug. 13 at Los Gatos High School.
The 5-mile race, named after Lexington Dam, involves a rugged, challenging course which starts off flat at the track, progresses down the next to Los Gatos High School's lower field, past the Old Mill and across Main Street to make the climb up to Lexington Reservoir.
"It's named after the dam and it's what they're saying it as they're running it," quipped employee Fred Staub. "It's one of the runs that everybody does that runs on the Los Gatos Creek Trail ... It's fun to be on the trail and do the run with other people because it pushes you a little harder."
Staub explained many runners like the fact that the course takes them through three ascending hills. "It's a challenge," he said.
Runners will cross the face of the dam, head up the Jones Trail and traverse down the trail to Jones road. They will then proceed to College Avenue and back to the trail before heading back to the Los Gatos track.
The run attracts about 800 runners every year, many local athletes who sign up for the event due to the beauty of the course.
After the race, runners enjoy various vendor booths, a post-race raffle (prizes are donated by local merchants), refreshments, music and fun.
Race-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with a race start of 8:30 a.m.
Awards are given to the top 10 male and female finishers in the open division (18-29), 30-34, 35-39, 40-44 and 45-49. The top five male and female finishers in the 13-and-under, high school (ages 14-17), 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-and-over and heavyweight divisions receive awards. All finishers receive ribbons and the West Valley Track Club will provide computerized results.
The pre-registration entry fee is $20 ($35 with a Coolmax T-shirt), and the fee is $25 on race day ($45 with a T-shirt). T-shirts alone are $15 and will be sold at the track on race day or in advance at Athletic Performance, 55 W. Main Street, Los Gatos. You can also register online at Active.com.
The race's sponsors this year are , Los Gatos Athletic Association, Belgian Diamond, INB Insurance, ASICS,
and .
