Run Seal Beach Hoping to Hit $1 Million Milestone

When runners get on their marks April 13, they may be racing for more than just their best time. 

Run Seal Beach hopes to hit a major milestone this year: raising a combined $1 million for local organizations, according to Seth Eaker, event public relations director.  

“Over the last ten years, it's given $825,000,” Eaker said. “(To hit $1 million) we need to raise $175,000. It’s going to be close. If we sell out, I think we just might do it.”

Eaker adds while the organization is hopeful, there are no guarantees they'll hit that number, and that they'd rather focus on the event, the sponsors and the volunteers than the $1 million goal. 

According to Eaker, funds raised from the 5K/10K go to a variety of non-profits, especially local recreation and sports organizations. The Los Alamitos Unified School District has contributed 47 percent of the total funds raised over the last decade.

Other fund recipients include the City of Seal Beach recreation department and other Seal Beach and Los Alamitos based non-profits. In general, grant recipients will range in awards from $500 to over $12,000.

“For many groups, like the Los Alamitos Booster clubs, this is vital funding to support many of their direct costs,” Eaker said in a statement.

He also urged people to sign up soon.

As of Thursday morning, about 4,800 people had registered for the longtime local run, up 600 from earlier in the week, according to Eaker.  

“That window is closing rapidly,” Eaker said

Spots for the 5k/10k are limited to 5,500 registrants. Organizers said there is no race-day registration allowed, and there is no registration limit for the kids 1k fun run.

The 5k/10k race starting line is at the Seal Beach Community Center, 151 Marina Drive.

Event Director Marc Loopesko said people should definitely check it out.

“It’s such a fun family oriented event staged in a beautiful quaint small town setting, and you’re entry fee is supporting recreation, sports and nonprofits in the immediate area,” Loopesko said.

According to the event website, in 2012, Run Seal Beach raised and awarded $156,000 to 65 local community organizations. The 39-year-old organization became a nonprofit in 1999.

 “For many groups, like the Los Alamitos Booster clubs, this is vital funding to support many of their direct costs,” Eaker said in a statement.

According to Eaker, the entire event is staffed and organized by volunteers, and there will be about 550 of them helping out April 13.

The race also includes a kids 1k fun run. To register for the event, click here. 

Event sponsors include Scan Health Plan, Bob & Mary Alice Braly Energy Tubulars, Finby Kimmes Wealth Management Group, Clean Energy Fuels, Dendreon Corporation, Anytime Fitness, AES Alamitos, Los Alamitos Cardiovascular, Southland Credit Union, Bay Hardware, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach, Glowaki Chiropractic, Shey Hardin Executive Search, Phillips Steel, Sea Air Federal Credit Union, The Original Fish Market, Dr. Mark Janis M.D., Beachwood BBQ, Automotive Excellence, Care Ambulance Service, Ned's Produce, O'Malley's On Main, Richards Wats & Gershon, Performance Veini Institute of Los Alamitos, Seal Beach Physical Therapy, Walt's Warf, Legacy Running, Wicorek Family Denistry, Framers and Merchants Bank, Oaxaca and Ong DDS, Seal Beach Podiatry, Main Street Cyclery, Alternative Surf BodyBoard Shop, Habour Surfboards, Hampton Inns and Shaw and Blasi certified public accountants.

For more information visit www.runsealbeach.com

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