It was a beautiful sunny day for the Primo’s Run for Education.
A record 4, 273 people came out to participate in the race and raise money for teachers in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.
Kathy Gailey, chair of the race, estimated that the Primo’s Run raised at least $80,000 to $90,000 for the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation. The education foundation will use the money raised by Primo’s Run to give grants to teachers in the district for projects and materials the teachers could not otherwise afford.
“It allows teachers in the district to do more creative things with their students,” said Gailey.
An estimated 500 volunteers came out to help organize the Danville to San Ramon race.
“It went great. There were more people than ever,” said Gailey. “It was definitely a success. People loved it.” Just under 500 people participated in the half-marathon. For the first time ever, everyone who ran in the half-marathon received a long sleeve high performance shirt. The shirts were donated by Forward Motion Sports.
The top 50 runners in both the 5K race and the half-marathon all received a short sleeve t-shirt, courtesy of Forward Motion Sports and running company Brooks. The shirts were a huge success, said Gailey.
“People loved them,” said Gailey. “It was definitely well-appreciated.” This year, the half-marathon runners’ shoelaces were also tagged with a computer chip. The computer chip ensured that the half-marathon race results were accurate.
This was also the first year that the courses for both races were certified. Runners can now use Primo’s Run for Education to qualify for other races.
Amid the thousands of people, there were a few familiar faces. Mike Doyle, mayor of Danville, H. Abram Wilson, mayor of San Ramon, and Robert Kessler, superintendent of the school district, were all in Danville to kick off the start of the race. Local celebrities Tori Campbell, an achorwoman with KTVU and Dwayne Kuiper, an announcer for the Giants, were emceeing the event.
The Top Five
Top five female half-marathoners: Angie Miorey, Berkeley, age 26, 1:24:15; Roberta McGraw, age 44, 1:28:46; Sarah Smith, Oakland, age 36, 1:28:57; Linda Hora, Alamo, age 40, 1:31:47; Terri West, Pleasanton, age 42, 1:32:14. Top five male half-marthoners: Jeff Gehringer, Pleasanton, age 20, 1:15:16; Mike Spencer, Pleasanton, age 40, 1:15:21; Ivan Mvyillo, Carney, MI, age 18, 1:16:02; John Colarchik, Castro Valley, age 32, 1:16:47; Dan Ambrose, Danville, age 26, 1:17:45. Top five female 5K runners: Jhoshaha Ziblatt, age 31, 18:20; Daniela Gergley, Danville, age 17, 18:58; Margot Paulick, Castro Valley, age 27, 20:11; Allie Colaco, Danville, age 15, 20:48; Kyla Aiuto, Danville, age 10, 20:55. Top five male 5K runners: Robbie Knorr, age 31, 15:53; Mark McManus, Danville, age 32, 15:15; John Morse, age 41, 16:03; Jonathan Rihel, Walnut Creek, age 20; 16:15; Dan Stefanisko; age 42, 16:56.
