LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Run on the Wilder Side to benefit Orinda parks

In an effort to raise funds toward the renovation at the Orinda Community Park, the Orinda Park and Recreation Foundation will hold its first annual Run on the Wilder Side starting at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 3. The course will extend through the Wilder development and consist of a 5k and 1.4-mile run.

The two races will start at the driveway into the Garden Center and finish at the Ranch House. The 5k (or just over three mile) run starts at 8 a.m. and costs $35, while the one-mile run, which costs $25, will start at 8:40 a.m. Both runs will finish at the Ranch House where prizes will be awarded to the winners of each race and food will be available.

Families are invited to come out and enjoy a morning of running or walking at the Wilder Development. Runners will receive T-shirts and goodie bags filled with various energy treats and bottled water. Costumes are welcome.

The Orinda Park and Rec Foundation was founded more than 40 years ago in 1975 when the Orinda Union Elementary School became available as a community center. The foundation was formed to raise money toward the purchase of the school and play field. Over the years the foundation raised money to make improvements at the Community Center and create the Orinda Community Park. Since 1975 the foundation has raised more than $2 million for recreational and park purposes, including the purchase of 111 acres of open space, as well as contributing toward regional recreational and open space needs.

Runners participating in the 1.4-mile run will start at the New Art and Garden Center near the driveway, then run on Big Leaf to Quarry Road, make a left, run up to Big Rock, make a right and loop around to head back down to Big Rock, to Big Leaf and then a right on Wilder Road to run down and around and left to the Wilder Fields entrance, just past the Ranch House to the finish.

The 5k will also start at the New Art and Garden Center near the driveway, continuing on Big Leaf to Rabble Road and around the circle, then down to Wilder Road. Runners will make a left on Wilder Road, go down to Dairy Creek Road and down to the big house at the end, then loop back and make a quick right turn, past the bridge and then back around to Wilder Road. They will take Wilder Road down and around to the Wilder Fields entrance, pass the Ranch House and arrive at the finish.

For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.OPRFoundation.org.