Lodi News-Sentinel

Galt’s annual tiny Half Marathon raises funds

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There is a run, jog, walk, and stroller push for everyone in the family on Saturday at the eighth annual Tiny Smiles’ “tiny” Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run and Health Expo.

The races help support the “tiny” Smiles and Children’s Heart Foundation. This event is designed to create awareness for congenital heart defects and raise funds for the incredible care and support that babies with these defects and their families in need.

The race is named for “Tiny,” an infant the Keiser family was in the process of adopting in 2011. Tiny was born with a congenital heart defect that left him with essentiall­y only part of a heart, and despite multiple surgeries he passed away in December 2011. The Keisers founded the race and the Tiny Smiles Foundation in his memory.The half-marathon’s fast, flat course takes runners through the “great American little town” of Galt. The halfmarath­on loop winds through historical Galt, new developmen­ts, older and newer neighborho­ods, and past each of the city’s high schools. The 5K and 10K courses will be a fast out-andback loop (double loop for the 10K).

Each course will have multiple aid stations and bathrooms along the way. Walkers and running strollers are also encouraged to join in.

The spectator-friendly finish area is located at the Galt Fairground­s, with free parking all around the start/finish area.

Overall male/female and Masters’ Division winners will receive a custom etched glass trophy. The top three in each age division will earn a medal.

All participan­ts will receive a custom Tech shirt, goodie bag, race gels, sports drink, post race food and entertainm­ent. Half marathon participan­ts will earn a finisher’s medal as they cross the finish line.

Chip timing will be provided by On Your Mark Events.

After the race, head

over to the Health Expo near the start/finish area. The Health Expo will offer food and drinks, free entertainm­ent, health screenings, a blood drive, and plenty of fun stuff for kids.

Children can sign up for the the Tiny Tiny Half, a 1.31-mile kids fun run, on the day of the race.

To avoid the race-day crowds, there will be an early race-packet and Tshirt pickup from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at The Littleton Center, 410 Civic Drive, Galt.

Race-day registrati­on and check in will open at 6:30 a.m., with the half marathon kicking off at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K, 5K Stroller, and 10K events at 8:15 a.m. The kids fun run will begin at 9 a.m. The Health Expo will run from 8 a.m. to noon.

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 ?? COURTESY PHOTOGRAPH­S ?? Above: Runners race in the “tiny” Half Marathon in 2019. Below: A group of runners pose for a photo with the race’s heart mascot.
COURTESY PHOTOGRAPH­S Above: Runners race in the “tiny” Half Marathon in 2019. Below: A group of runners pose for a photo with the race’s heart mascot.
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