Mother's Day Run Returns to Watsonville

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of Pajaro Valley Shelter Services:

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services presents the 32nd Annual Mother’s Day Run/Walk for Shelter on Sunday, May 8th at Ramsay Park in Watsonville and will include a 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and a 1K Kids’ Fun Run.

Roses for mothers, medals for winners, continental breakfast and a live DJ. Families with strollers are allowed.

For 32 years, the community of Watsonville has supported PV Shelter’s Mother’s Day Run to ensure the continuation of services for homeless families. The first race was held in 1984 and raised $8,000, with a small crowd in attendance. This year we expect over 700 participants and 300 volunteers and spectators to help raise $80,000!

This well-loved event can be enjoyed by attendees of all ages and skill levels, from competitive runners to weekend joggers to families who want to walk together. Starting and ending in Ramsay Park, the race route is a beautiful trek around Watsonville’s slough trails. Start your Mother’s Day off by joining the community in supporting the end of homelessness for mothers, their children and families in South County. The first race starts at 7:45 and the entire event ends at 10:15 am just in time to enjoy the rest of Mother’s Day. The 10K and 5K races will be professionally timed.

“The Mother’s Day Run has become a tradition. For many, there are three generations who do the run/walk together, and then go to brunch afterwards. It’s a great family tradition –to help end homelessness on Mother’s Day.” PVSS Executive Director, Kimberly Ferm

Community Support:

PV Shelter has the recipe for successfully changing the lives of families experiencing homelessness, by giving them the tools to help themselves. The Mother’s Day Run for Shelter is PV Shelter’s biggest fundraising event. The Race/Walk is an opportunity for the community to partner with PV Shelter to raise funds, so we can continue our mission of promoting self-sufficiency and changing the lives of families experiencing homelessness.

About Pajaro Valley Shelter Services:

Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services has helped women, children, and families end the causes and cycles of homelessness. PVSS currently serves and helps house 80 families annually, while they complete a program to overcome financial barriers, and develop goals, skills and attitudes necessary to move on to stable housing and improved personal and economic self-sufficiency. Serving Santa Cruz County and focusing on Watsonville and Pajaro Valley, PVSS owns and operates an Emergency Shelter (for women and children), a Shelter Annex (for single fathers with children and families with males over the age of twelve), thirteen units of Transitional Housing, and four units of Long-Term Supportive Housing. Participants learn how to manage money, obtain employment, housing, care for themselves and their children, and more.

RACE INFORMATION

Registration: Race day registration and bib pick-up starts at 7:00 AM, Sunday, May 8th 2016. Course closes at 10:15. Bibs are not transferable. Registration fees are non-transferable & non-refundable. For online registration go to www.pvshelter.org.

Fees: Registration Form required for EACH participant.

• 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk - $35 for individuals (1 T-shirt); Registrations after Monday, May 2, 2016: $45
• 1K Kid’s Fun Run - $20 per child, 12 & under (1 T-shirt); Registrations after Monday, May 2, 2016: $25
• Race Start Times:
• 1K Kid’s Fun Run @ 7:45am
• 5K Walk @ 8:00am
• 5K Run @ 8:00am
• 10K Run @ 8:45am
• COURSE CLOSES AT 10:15 am

Course: The course is certified: computerized time results will be announced & on the web site

All runs and walks start and end at Ramsay Park. Run and walk courses are the same as last year. Course maps available at www.pvshelter.org.

Features: Event T-shirt included in the fee; T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR FIRST 700 RUNNERS WHO REGISTER; Roses for the moms; Refreshments and water; Live DJ.

Awards: 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, male/female per 5-year age division; plus gift certs for the overall male and female first place winners in 10K and 5K.

1K Kid’s Fun Run – all youth receive accomplishment medals, 3-year age divisions. Kids’ Awards 8:30-8:45.