Go The Distance Announces 24 Hour Run, Relay and Fun Runs - 5/24 & 5/25! | Community

Exactly how far will parents, families and the community go to support local kids?  That question will be answered later this month when the Loomis Unified School District, ultra-marathoner Greg Bomhoff and the “Go the Distance” team present a 24-Hour Run, Team Relay and two Family Fun Runs that begin with activities on Thursday, May 24, at 8:50 a.m. and continue through Friday, May 25, ending at 8:50 a.m.  While the series of events will kick-off at Franklin School in Loomis, special health and fitness activities and spirited rallies will be happening at all seven elementary schools in the Loomis School District. 

As background, two years ago Greg Bomhoff created a local sensation when he ran for 24 hours straight -- 128.75 miles and 515 laps -- around the small Franklin School track in Loomis to raise funds for the Health and Fitness program after the school was faced with budget cuts and the possibility of losing PE programs.  The unique fundraising event raised more than $25,000 and succeeded in creating a paradigm shift at the small rural school with teachers starting a walking program, kids participating in the running club, and parents participating in marathons and even ultra marathons. In addition, other local schools have also followed suit by replicating the 24-hour run concept. 

In 2012, Bomhoff and the dedicated “Go the Distance” team is taking the effort to a new level by expanding it to all seven local schools in the district.   In addition to Bomhoff running a 24-hour solo run again -- that will include running to all seven schools in the district alongside Superintendent of Loomis Schools Gordon Medd at some point in the day -- the community at large is invited to participate in a 24-Hour Relay.  In fact, 14 teams have already committed -- at $1,000 per entry -- and include Placer County Sheriff S.W.A.T. team, a team of local teachers, a 7th & 8th grade team, and at least one team from every school in the Loomis School District.   In addition, “Go the Distance” is coordinating two (5K) Family Fun Runs on Thursday, May 24 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Franklin School and the proceeds from the relays and 5Ks go back to the Loomis school of the runner’s choice. Cost is $20 per participant or $60 for a family of three or more.

Interested community members are invited to come out and cheer on Bomhoff, the relay runners and 5K participants at any point in the 24 hours.  Thursday afternoon and evening festivities include free entertainment such as live music provided by Car Tunes and a grilled chicken dinner from KFC for $5 per person.   For more information about “Go the Distance” activities, please visit www.GoTheDistanceRun.com

About Go the Distance
A grass roots effort, Go the Distance began in 2010 in an effort to raise awareness and rally support to find innovation solutions to address school budget issues that were jeopardizing the future existence of  a Physical Education program. The goals  of the Go the Distance program is to empower the Loomis Community to go the distance for kids in the community, to raise awareness about the positive impact health and fitness has on children, and to generate needed funds for Loomis elementary schools to help support future district-wide programs.  More information is available at www.gothedistancerun.com or by calling 916-204-5900