2,000 expected to turn out for Saturday's Human Race Walkathon in Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ — Organizers of the Human Race Walkathon happening Saturday on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz expect a turnout of more than 2,000 participants.

With more than 140 organizations, schools and charities participating this year, organizers hope to collectively raise more than $250,000, said Christine Loewe, who runs outreach and marketing for the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County.

Runners will start at 8 a.m. and walkers will immediately follow. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Participants can register online until the day of the event.

The participating organizations are asking the community for financial support to maintain the services they provide. Numerous agencies have relied on the race as a fundraising mainstay for their organization since the inception of the event.

“The race brings together so many diverse local organizations addressing vital community needs. We have a wide-ranging list of participants that includes school children, animal lovers, art and music lovers, parks program supporters, environmental activists, and public service advocates. You name the cause, and there is someone at the Human Race walking for it,” stated Human Race Coordinator Chris Braccini.

In the last five years the Human Race has generated nearly $1 million dollars for participating organizations. “We have set an ambitious goal of raising $250,000 this year. No contribution is too small. I look forward to seeing a new round of community members at this year’s race,” stated Braccini.

Many of the organizations represented are from the Watsonville area including Papas, Si Se Puede, the YES school, Japanese Cultural Fair, Watsonville TEC, Diabetes Health Center, Watsonville Taiko, and the Sons of Italy Watsonville Lodge.

This weekend will see its share of races. The Pajaro Valley Shelter will hold its annual Mother's Day Run for Shelter at Ramsay Park on Sunday. And on Monday, the Amgen Tour of California rumbles into town, with the finish line of a grueling second stage at Cabrillo College around 4 p.m.

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