LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Lace up Lafayette! The 2020 Res Run is on . virtually


This year's Res Run will look a little different than this photo from last year, but the course remains the same, along with the sense of community and support for the schools. Photo provided

Not even a global pandemic can hold back the Lafayette Res Run! Even as just about every other city event has been canceled this year, the folks at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce are very happy to partner with the city for this community-building, fundraising event once again - providing a virtual race, but a physical run.

Of course the run will look a little different this year - runners will not be meeting on the traditional third Sunday in October. This year the Lafayette Res Run for Education has been reimagined. Runners will have the two-week span from Oct. 16-31 during which time they must complete the course.

The Chamber is offering four races: a 5k, 10k or 2-mile walk/run along the same route as in previous events, and, new this year, a 2.7-mile Lafayette Reservoir Run/Walk Challenge along the paved trail of the Lafayette Reservoir.

The 5k, 10k, and 2-mile walk/run course will be marked along the sidewalk on the south side of Mt. Diablo Boulevard. This year roads will not be closed for runners. Caution and social distancing is urged.

Following registration for the event (see link below), runners will be sent a confirmation email with information about the race and the Race Joy App used to track times and post results.

As in previous years, money raised will benefit local public schools. Participants choose which school they want to support at registration. Last year the Chamber raised over $28,000. Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jay Lifson says they are on target to catch up with that again this year.

Usually the event attracts runners from all over the Bay Area including many elite runners. Lifson says he thinks this year will probably be much more of a local event.

Participants will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt designed by longtime Lafayette resident and artist Betsy Streeter. The special design this year commemorating a very unique year, features a row of socially distanced cartoon bear runners that Streeter says was inspired by one of Lifson's Grateful Dead T-shirts.

As if all this wasn't enough, Zoonie's Candy Shop, one of the many local sponsors making the event possible, is offering a gift certificate for a free quarter pound of bulk candy to the first 100 students registered for the run from each school.

And this year, because they don't have duties to attend to in any physical location, Chamber members might be able to participate too in what they describe as the city's most popular "family affair" along with the sprinters, walkers, the stroller brigade and many of Lafayette's four-legged residents.

To sign up for the Res Run go to https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Lafayette/LafayetteReservoirRun