The Fields to Fair 10-mile run is no more. Instead, the annual race has been reinvented as the Guadalupe Half Marathon. It’s got a new name, a new distance, and a new beneficiary—the Guadalupe Sports Hall of Fame, Inc.
Savvy observers, or just hard-core runners, may have already heard of the Guadalupe Half Marathon. This is, after all, the second year that it’s been run. But it’s the first year that race organizers are ready to spring this race on the public, advertise the heck out of it, and start this new race on the way towards becoming a classic.
“Last year was just a maiden voyage,” said race director Stephanie Krouse.
Now, she said, with the kinks worked out, Krouse is confident that the race will take off. To make the event more appealing, Krouse has changed a few things. Instead of 10 miles, the race is a half marathon, or about 13 miles. The funny thing about that, she said, is that more people seem willing to run a half marathon. Maybe it sounds like less distance, because it’s only half a marathon, maybe it just sounds cooler.
Whatever the reason, the change is permanent, Krouse said. After all, half marathons are all the rage. Already, 40 people have signed up for the race. That’s a good amount, considering most runners register the day of the event, she said.
The best part of the race, Krouse said, is the location. The Guadalupe Half Marathon is going to be held on the Santa Maria River Levee.
The flat, packed dirt is the ideal location because it’s flat, Krouse said. There are no rolling hills to make the half marathon any harder than it needs to be.
For those who would rather walk, the Guadalupe Half Marathon also has a 10K walk. That translates to a roughly 6-mile walk. That’s more than most fun runs, but less than the alternative at this race. Still, Krouse is confident that most people can walk that distance easily if they set their minds to it.
“We already have a woman who’s 80 years old signed up for the walk,” she said.
It’s going to take a while to walk six miles, but the views will be worth it, Krouse said.
Race organizers had to get special permission from private landowners and the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to use the levee for the race. The run starts on Peralta Street in Guadalupe and loops around the levee, passing rural farm fields along the way. It’s a perfect showcase of the area, and the city of Guadalupe, Krouse’s hometown.
Living in Guadalupe led Krouse to choose the Hall of Fame as the beneficiary of the race. Last year, race organizers handed over about $3,000 to the Guadalupe Sports Hall of Fame. The money was used to help fund scholarships for student athletes, and to put towards a new little league field that the Hall of Fame is building in Guadalupe, said Joe Talaugon, a founding member of the Hall of Fame.
“The race was such a success last year, we’re going to try and do it every year,” Talaugon said.
The Hall of Fame board members will be out there this year, making breakfast burritos for the runners before the race. A few of the board members have also signed up for the walk.
“It’ll be fun, it’s a great thing for people to come out and run,” Talaugon said.
INFOBOX: Run, and have some fun
The Guadalupe Half Marathon will be held Saturday, July 5. The race starts at 9 a.m. for the half marathon, and 8 a.m. for the 10k walk. Report to Peralta Street in Guadalupe the morning of the race to register or call ahead to Stephanie Krouse at 714-5798.
The cost is $35 for an adult in the half marathon, and $15 for a youth under age 18. The 10k walk is $15 for all participants. Runners will receive a t-shirt, breakfast, and of course, awards presented to the top three runners in each age group. All proceeds from the event benefit the Guadalupe sports Hall of Fame, Inc.
Contact Sports Editor Sarah E. Thien at sthien@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 3-10, 2008.