| | Published November 7th, 2012
| Walking and Running on Sunshine
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | | Photo Ohlen Alexander
|
Under sparkling blue skies, the 20th annual Reservoir Run was a "pinch me" morning. Really does it get any better than happy children, balloons, the smell of sausage in the air, fabulous fall colors, and a jogging Gumby? With all the hallmarks of a great day, along with the Giants just hours away from winning the World Series, Lamorinda residents had to wonder how we got so lucky to live in our little slice of paradise. Not only did the weather cooperate as it usually does, but everyone breathed a bit easier after the alleged long-time Reservoir mystery was solved.
Some 25 years ago, according to legend, visitors spotted an alligator in the Lafayette Reservoir. Is it perhaps our very own version of the Loch Ness Monster - or just an urban myth? After two days of searching back in the day, the elusive beast was never seen again - maybe scared off by the hoopla - until the reptile was magically transformed into a 7-year-old charming mascot, Hunter Koch, whose little brother Cody wanted to come along as a gator hunter.
Both were front and center at the start of the 8 a.m. two mile run, along with mom, Nicole Koch and Grandma Nancy Jo Swartz. "This is becoming a family thing," said proud mom Koch, who explained that they just participated in the Waterhope Walk, raising money to bring clean water to those without it.
Scores of volunteers in bright orange t-shirts donated their time for crowd control, at registration tables, for water bottle distribution, pancakes and for security that lined the route that takes over Mount Diablo Boulevard and loops around the Reservoir. Two young gentlemen from Stanley Intermediate School were posted at the finish line handing out complimentary waters; nearby, a group of slightly more mature moms from the National Charity League (NCL) joked that they were "making the rounds" having started out with the Lafayette Juniors at this event and moved over to the NCL table - now stationed at a new location. Bob Athayde and the Stanley Intermediate School Band were providing music and the gentlemen of the Rotary Club were busy flipping pancakes most of the morning.
Perhaps Mascot Hunter waived his magic tail to make sure this year's Res Run was ground zero for community togetherness. Or maybe Lamorinda residents simply like to see the friends and family who show up year after year at this fun family event, appreciate a good walk or run - and the color-coordinated orange porta-potties.
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 | | Photo Cathy Dausman
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA