Valley Elementary Cinco de Mayo run returns May 4

By Emily Sorensen

Valley Elementary School’s 7th annual Cinco de Mayo 5K Run is a little extra special this year, as it is being held on Valley Elementary Day, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4 at Lake Poway.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Valley Elementary School, which will be honored on May 4, the day Poway City Council proclaimed “Valley Elementary Day.”

There will be a group of runners in the race who were part of the first graduating class of Valley Elementary School, back when it was a middle school, honoring the milestone anniversary.

There will be three races at the Cinco de Mayo 5K, a short kids race, a 5K, and a more challenging 10K race. The 10K race begins at 7:30 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m., and the kids race at 9:30 a.m. The event will conclude at 11:30 a.m., with registration opening at 6:30 a.m. for racers and teams.

The 10K and 5K races will take runners through the trails of Lake Poway and Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, with the 10K adding a grueling climb to the Ramona Dam. Kids 7 and under, who aren’t big enough yet to tackle the 5K race, can participate in the Kathy Young Memorial Kids Race, which is approximately one-third of a mile, along Lake Poway, finishing in the same spot as the other races. Food and drink will be available at the finish line to re-hydrate runners.

The race will also feature professional chip timing, $1,500 in prize money for winners, entertainment and exhibits.

Awards will be given to the first-, second- and third-place winners of the 10K and 5K races, as well as a “Hero Prize” for the fastest 5K runner. Age group medals will also be awarded.

The race is still looking for Valley alumni to head up decade teams, representing each decade that Valley has existed, for the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. Those interested in being team captains can still sign up, by contacting Valley parent Krystn Monroe at kmonroe@ValleyEEF.org.

A pre-race expo will be held 4 - 7 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Laces Running Company, 10549 Scripps Poway Parkway, to allow runners the chance to pre-register. Runners can pick up their running bib, timing chip and T-shirt early.

Tickets are discounted until Saturday, April 27, with adults at $35, kids ages 8 - 17 $25, kids 7 and under $10. After April 27, all ticket prices raise $5. For tickets, registration and information on the race, visit cincodemayotrailrun.org