You gotta have heart — the Striders do

Distance runners! Walkers, too! All ages! First North Coast Striders Running Club race of 2023: 42nd annual Willits Classic, pre-valentine's Day, 10 mile run and 5 kilometer (3.1 mi.) run/walk, Sunday Feb. 12, 10 a.m., Willits Recreation Grove Park, ½ mile east of Hwy 101 on Commercial Street.

The weather forecast is mostly sunny, cool but clear, for this traditional event sponsored by our own North Coast Striders, THE running club of Mendocino County. Families, beginners, and experienced competitors will feel at home here. You can register for the races at runsignup.com — where you can also join the N. Coast Striders for $15 annual dues, which among other benefits gives you race discounts.

New generations of Striders are carrying on the traditions begun in the early 1980's by the now-old-timers. Please join us, and help keep this great athletic community going far into the future. It's always been a big family.

Online Willits Classic registrations accepted until 11:59, Saturday, Feb. 11. Ten mile run, a loop around the east valley of Willits: $20 Adult ($18 for North Coast Striders members). Five Kilometer (3.1 mile) run/walk: $20 Adult ($18 for NCS members), $10 Ages 10-18. Family: $40 ($36 for NCS members).

There will be awards for the first three female and male finishers overall, and the first three finishers in the youth category.

The North Coast Striders has always been a major supporter of Mendocino

County running/walking events and youth running programs, including donations to school cross-country and track & field teams. From the net proceeds of this Sunday's race, the club will donate to Willits youth running programs.

Soon, Striders will be holding weekly training sessions for club members, featuring fitness evaluation, goal setting, stretching, and injury prevention. We hope you'll join up and join us in this venture.

As veterans of the Willits Classic races will testify, the sunny weather predicted for the coming Sunday is a wonderful thing. Many of these past mid-winter races have been held in rain. Those, too, are wonderful. But in a different way. We hope to see you at the races Sunday, and beyond; more are planned throughout the year.