San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
DONUT DASH FUNDRAISER COMING TO RANCHO BERNARDO
A fundraiser run with a twist — or maybe a bearclaw or jelly-filled doughnut at the finish line — is headed to Rancho Bernardo Community Park next month.
The Rancho Bernardo Community Council is holding its inaugural Donut Dash on Saturday, Sept. 10. It will feature a 10K, 5K and “Donut Mile” race.
The latter is limited to 25 runners ages 15 and older. At 9:30 a.m. participants will complete a 1-mile course broken into four laps around a dedicated area in the park. They must eat a regular glazed or cake doughnut at the beginning of each lap.
The first runner to complete all four laps and eat four doughnuts will become the Donut Dash champion, according to the event’s website.
The dash is a separate event from the 10K and 5K races, so entrants can just register for the dash or enter the dash and another of the longer races. The 10K will start at 8 a.m. and the 5K at 8:30 a.m. Both will take runners onto the dirt trails adjacent to Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive.
Rancho Bernardo Community Councilmember Bettyann Pernice said the event is a fundraiser for the council. Last year, it held a similar fundraiser with a pizza theme.
Pernice said the council switched to doughnuts because getting them donated to a morning event is a bit easier than pizza. The council is trying to get several doughnut shops to donate to the event so there can be an assortment of free doughnuts at the finish line for the runners and those who come out to cheer them.
The registration fee is $56 for the 10K, $41 for the 5K and $20 for the Donut Dash. Race organizer Jeff Stoner with Race San Diego said the 10K and 5K are open to all ages, including children. There are no plans at this time to have a separate children’s race.
Dogs and strollers will not be allowed on the race course.
Each runner will receive a medal. They also have the option to purchase in advance a race T-shirt for $7.50 when registering online at racesandiegollc.com/donutdash.
Proceeds will benefit the free activities the council sponsors throughout the year. These include the annual Chalk It Up! sidewalk chalk art competition, Patriotic Pet Contest, Earth Day Fair and a safety fair. The council also displays American flags in medians along Rancho Bernardo Road for holidays such as the Fourth of July and graduation signs in June, and oversees the utility box art project.
U-T Community Press