DEL MAR — About 300 participants of all ages — from stroller-sized to 86 — were on hand Nov. 7 for the 33rd annual Jake’s Fun Run, which raised $8,000 through its Legacy of Aloha program for the La Colonia branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito and Friends of the Powerhouse.
It is the third year the Del Mar restaurant’s fundraiser has benefitted the Solana Beach nonprofit, which will use its $5,000 donation for tutoring and teen mentor programs, college nights and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics activities.
“Thank you to Jake’s for helping support one of our 100 percent scholarship branches, La Colonia,” said Marineke Vandervort, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs. “It’s because of donations like this we are able to serve over 100 youth in Eden Gardens and provide them with excellent after school programming, as well as a safe and positive place to go after school.”
The remaining $3,000 will be used by the Friends of the Powerhouse, which raises funds to help Del Mar with the ongoing preservation and enhancement of the Powerhouse Community Center, Beach Safety Center and Lifeguard Tower and surrounding public recreational areas.
Money was raised primarily through entry fees that ranged from $15 for children to $45 for adults and included a T-shirt, barbecue, beverages and entertainment. The event also featured a raffle and prizes for winners in a variety of categories.
Mark Ford and Natalie Lageder were the first male and female finishers. Eleven-year-old Olivia Davis was the first youth to cross the finish line. The first stroller finishers were Daniel (adult) and Ferris (child) Flowers.
Taylor Jenkins and Hanna Parhiala, both 5, tied as the youngest to complete the race. At 86, Betty Lang was the oldest finisher. Ben Justins and his dog, Kinzie, were the first human-canine team to cross the finish line.
Participants ran a 5K, or 3.2 miles, along the beach, starting and finishing at Jake’s.
Jeovani Aragon, Jose Becerra, Gaby and Yvet Conde and Keila De La O, students from the La Colonia branch, helped with the registration and setup.
The Legacy of Aloha program was created “to help fund community organizations, protect the environment and perpetuate the water sports we love,” according to the Jake’s website.
“We believe in treating our customers as friends, having a good time and giving back to the community that has supported us for over 30 years,” it states. “The Fun Run gives us an opportunity to do all this while providing an enjoyable day for all.”
