By Eliza Ramsey, Capital High School intern to ThurstonTalk
On July 20, in the early morning shadow of the ferris wheel, runners of all ages will take off in the 38th Annual Lakefair Run. With distances of 3 kilometers, 8 kilometers, and a half marathon, as well as free entrance for kids in the 3K, the event draws runners with a multitude of abilities.
The Lakefair Run is put on by the Lake Run Organization, a non-profit running focused organization responsible for various South Sound races throughout the year including The Harbor Days Relays and the Capital Invite Citizen’s Race.
Jerry Miller, a Cross Country and Track coach at Capital High School, has been organizing the event for 17 years, and is very proud of the race. “We are inclusive, we are sustainable, in terms of the materials we use and we really are a lot of fun,” says Miller.
In recent years the run has undergone some changes, with the addition of the half marathon distance and the upgrade to chip timing. In the future Miller hopes for “a continuing push for a high quality race and increasing the number of participants in all our distances.”
In 2012 the inaugural half marathon had approximately 340 runners, while over 800 participated in the 3K and 8K races. “We have age categories that go 80+ years, so everyone is able to participate and compete at whatever level they choose,” says Miller.
Shea Temple has been volunteering at the Lakefair Run for several years and says, “It is a race that appeals to a great range of runners, which makes it really inclusive and fun.”
While registration for the half marathon has closed for this year’s race, the 8K, 3K and Kids Run will be open until the day of the race, with pre-registration and chip and t-shirt pick-up taking place at South Sound Running’s Olympia location on July 19. Kids 14 and under can participate for free in the 3K. Miller views the Kids Run as an opportunity to encourage to the future of running “We give them a chip, and put them on the start line just like everyone else, and try to make it a great experience,” he explains.
All the distances take off from the intersection of Franklin and 5th Avenue and finish in Heritage Park. The 3K is one lap around the lower basin of Capitol Lake while the 8K follows an out and back course along Deschutes Parkway and through Tumwater Falls Park. The 13.1 mile half marathon route takes runners along the Woodland Trail for the first 4 miles before turning North on the Chehalis Western Trail, at appoximately 7 miles runners cross East toward East Bay Drive on Ames Road, finishing across from the fountain by Heritage Park.
A big part of the Lakefair Run is giving back to the running community. Each year the organization donates some of its proceeds to causes including the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Scholarship Fund, the Washington State Trails Coalition, South Puget Sound Community College Scholarships and the certification of individuals as Track and Field Officials. The Lakefair Run also partners with local high school Cross Country teams from Olympia, Tumwater and Capital, donating money to each of the programs in exchange for their help with the race.
The Capital team works pre-race registration and finishing chute each year, and the event has become a favorite for many of the athletes. Seniors Hannah and Nicole Hartman enjoy seeing the excitement of runners of all ages and abilities when they cross the line. “I love getting to cheer and congratulate all the runners,” says junior Lauren Pierson.
A special focus of the Lakefair Run is sustainability, from the Red Alder finisher medals presented to the half marathon runners to the push for composting and recycling to minimize the amount of waste produced. “Sustainability is something we put an emphasis on and we’re working to be one of the best in the state in that area,” says Miller. With the help of Thurston Solid Waste, the race organizers are able to borrow recycling and composting bins to ensure that the watermelon rinds and empty water bottles are properly disposed of.
The Red Alder medals given to all who complete the half marathon are crafted from a fast growing and renewable wood source. “We know finisher medals are important to our participants, and these are a little different but very cool,” said Miller. In addition the medals for the 3K and 8K races are designed so they can be easily transferred and reused from year to year.
This year’s race had many pre-registrants but the 3K and 8K distances are still open to more runners. To register or learn more about the race, click here. Special thanks to www.ontherunevents.com for the photos from last year’s Lakefair Run.
