River Run for Youth Wrap Up

Last Saturday, I ran the River Run for Youth in West Sacramento. I wanted to circle back and report on what a great time I had at the race, and give a little bit more about its beneficiary, Collings Teen Center.

I asked Gary Fox, executive director of Campus Life Connection (the non-profit organization that administrates Collings Teen Center) for some more information about the center itself and about how the idea for the River Run for Youth began.

Cavegrrl:
Can you tell me a little more about the services Collings Teen Center provides?

Gary Fox:
The Teen Center offers afterschool options including: tutoring, recreation, field trips, camps, competition, free afternoon meal and service projects. The age for the teen center participants is middle school through high school. The program is for any young person in the West Sacramento area and it is free.

Cavegrrl:
How did the idea of a 5K come to mind as a fundraiser?

Gary Fox:
The idea started with a group of people who wanted to do something to support the center and the next steps included talking to several people who have been doing runs to find out how to put one together, who should we talk to about managing the event and helping with logistics, where should we hold it and who should we talk to about participating.

Cavegrrl:
How did you get Capital Road Race Management and Fleet Feet involved with the race?

Gary Fox:
Both groups have been very helpful and responded with coaching and ideas when we approached them to do a run.

Cavegrrl:
Are you hoping to make the race an annual event?

Gary Fox:
We are planning our next year’s event now, having learned so much from this first year we are excited about the possibilities for the next one.

Cavegrrl:
Besides running the race, how can people donate to Collings Teen Center? Also, do you take volunteers?

Gary Fox:
We encourage people to visit and see what is going on and how the program impacts young people, we accept donation of cash, but we also accept food, clothing and other items as needs arise. We are always looking for volunteers who will be consistent and build relationships with young people.

Thanks, Gary!

I mentioned that I ran in the race (3.1 miles) as one leg of 11.25 miles I ended up running that day. I finished 2nd in my division (30-39) and took home a nice glass tumbler and medal for it 🙂 Below is my Garmin readout from the race with a map of the course.

Speaking of the course, I will say it’s a not a flat one.  There are some hills in there. And if you’re a good cross country runner, you would really like it, as only about 1.5 miles of the race are on paved roads. The rest is gravel and dirt. 🙂 And you finish right on the baseball field, which is again, dirt. 🙂 Below are my official results:

Here’s the link to the rest of the official race results: CLICK HERE

If you have the chance, come out and run with us next year!

The Collings Teen Center invests in the lives of young people in the West Sacramento Community. Our purpose is to Embrace, Engage and Empower.

Designed to be a safe place where young people will always feel welcomed to hangout after school, a place where computers, basketball, games and activities are blended with tutoring, community service, educational seminars, and trips outside the area, job training and connection to men and women who are leaders in the community.

Young people need caring adults in their lives that will be a positive influence, listen to their issues, encourage good decisions, and celebrate their successes.

You can follow the River Run for Youth on twitter here and find them on Facebook here.