”
Reek Run
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may sound like a strange name for a race, but in Gilroy such a
moniker makes a lot of sense.
“Reek Run” may sound like a strange name for a race, but in Gilroy such a moniker makes a lot of sense.
The annual Reek Run was originally held as part of Gilroy’s Garlic Festival every July – hence the name “Reek” as in the dictionary definition of “a strong and distinctive fume or odor,” and “to give off smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.”
Gerry Foisy, better known locally as “Mr. Garlic,” opens the race each year dressed in garlic garb which makes him resemble a rather large head of garlic.
A partnership between the sports and the arts might seem a little unusual as well, but for a city like Gilroy it seems like the perfect solution to the problem of how to raise funds for the future Gilroy Cultural Center.
The plans for a center for the arts in Gilroy have been in the works for many years now, and while strides in the right direction have been made, the actual reality of the center being physically built will require a great deal of fund raising. How can such a dream become reality?
A group of Gilroyans called the Theater Angels Art League supports arts activities in Gilroy and assists individual artists and art groups that need special funding. Now the Angels are setting a visionary example by partnering in a new way with a business (Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park) to make Reek Run 2004 a fund-raiser for the Gilroy Cultural Center.
The Reek Run was held on the Bonfante property before the park was open to the public. The problem back then was that the runners were exposed to a lot of dust and other hazardous substances while the park was still under construction.
Eventually, the Gilroy Garlic Festival decided to eliminate a number of peripheral events (such as a bike race) held at different venues other than the festival, but the run survived independently and moved to the track at Gavilan College and along Santa Teresa Boulevard.
But this year, something new is planned. Reek Run 2004 will be held at Bonfante Gardens on July 10, starting at 8 a.m. and will feature both a 5K and 10K walk/run. For the first time, racers will run through Bonfante’s horticultural wonderland of uniquely manicured trees, plants and flowers.
The runners, the park, and the future Gilroy Cultural Center will benefit from this plan. All proceeds go to benefit the future cultural center, and at the same time, “the race will expose a demographic to Bonfante that is good for business – the 30- to 50-year-olds, people with young families,” according to Angel supporter Sherri Stuart.
While the park has something special to offer everyone, the race will bring many more young families into the park to experience those rides that are particularly tailored to younger children, such as the Artichoke Dip.
The Hilton Garden Inn is offering visiting runners a special Reek Runner rate of $79 per night.
As a convenience, race registration may be completed 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday in the lobby.
Participants receive 2-for-1 Bonfante Gardens entrance vouchers, as well as free parking, T-shirts and goodie bags.
All participants 12 and under receive a medal for participating. Awards will go to the top three in each male and female age group.
For those runners who register by July 1, there is a pre-registration discount: adults can enter the race for $22 and children age 12 and under can enter for $18, but on the day of the race, it will be $25 for adults, and $20 for age 12 and under.
Entries after July 1, will be accepted by fax or Internet until July 8. For those who register on the day of the race, arrival bright and early is strongly recommended – all runners must be registered between 6:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.
Many local businesses and Gilroy residents are joining together to contribute to this event. The Dispatch, Allstate Insurance and several other agencies and individuals are underwriting the race this year.
Up to 100 people participate each year, but event organizer and running expert Bill Flodberg is expecting more this year with the move to such a beautiful new venue.
“The race has been publicized this year in numerous runners’ publications, and as many as 1,200 flyers have been passed out at other Bay Area races, such as the Mercury News Run and the Big Sur Marathon,” Flodberg says.
It is the collaborative way that the Theater Angels are working with Bonfante Gardens to benefit both organizations that is so significant about this event.
By doing so, the organizations are setting an example for other businesses by creatively partnering to benefit everyone in the community. Let’s hope more of these partnerships can be created in the future.
For more information, please call Theater Angels Reek Race Phone: 847-1441.
