'Great Race' From Saratoga to Los Gatos Returns This Sunday

The 36th annual Great Race returns this Sunday, April 28 at 9 a.m. thanks to Los Gatos Afternoon Rotarians who will help about 2,000 runners and walkers exercise while donating to great charitable causes.

The four-mile scenic route begins at 14420 Big Basin Way—between Third and Fourth streets—in Saratoga and follows ascending Highway 9 toward downtown Los Gatos for the finish on North Santa Cruz Avenue and Elm Street.

The weather calls for sunny and clear skies this Sunday, with a high of 78 degrees and a low of 49.

A Fun and Fitness Fair and live entertainment will follow on Elm Street and Santa Cruz Avenue. Last year, nearly 1,800 people registered for the event, but it attracted many more so-called "bandit runners and walkers" who don't sign up and participate in the event without a bib number.

Proceeds benefit Los Gatos High School student scholarships, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Hope Rehabilitation Services, Second Harvest Food Bank, Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center, Los Gatos Seniors Coordinating Council, Hospice of the Valley, Loaves and Fishes, Rotoplast and Children's Corrective Services, Southwest YMCA, Wheelchair Foundation and Polio Eradication Project.

The race traces its roots to 1978 when Saratoga Mayor Bill Glennon challenged Los Gatants to compete for bragging rights based on number of participants from both towns. Fast forward 36 years, and the event continues to get residents in and around the two communities, including Monte Sereno, to have fun, enjoy the outdoors and burn a few calories.

Register online by clicking here, or register in person at Athletic Performance and Runner's Factory in downtown Los Gatos. The entry fee is $40 per person.

Those with race confirmation tickets can pick up their dry fit T-shirt, bibs and chips at Runners Factory, 51 University Ave., 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 25 and at Athletic Performance, 55 W. Main St., 5-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. T-shirts can also be picked up after the race at the Fun & Fitness Fair.

The Great Race is once again sponsored this year by the Sereno Group, Barracuda Networks, El Camino Hospital Los Gatos, Cornerstone Shopping Center, Filice Insurance, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Absolute Mortgage Banking, Integrated Copy Solutions, Durham School Services, Athletic Performance, Sportissimo, Runner's Factory and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Media sponsors include Los Gatos Patch, the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, 95.3 KRTY, KCAT 15, KnewTV, Los Gatos Magazine, Out & About Magazine and KLIV 1590.

Details: Race director  Mike Norcia, 408-823-2022, mnorcia@icscopiers.com.