Race Rounds Up Support for Student-Athletes

Registration is underway for the second annual San Marcos Fitness Roundup to be held on Saturday, April 9, to benefit California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Athletics. The two-race Roundup features a 5K community run/walk through the surrounding streets of the university campus and a unique 11K run/walk on the panoramic trails of Double Peak, North County’s highest elevation point.Organized by local Carlsbad-based event firm In Motion, Inc., in collaboration with the City of San Marcos and CSUSM, hundreds of runners are expected to take part in the races, which begin at 8 a.m. near the University’s Mangrum Track and Field, followed by a lively post-race festival.“The San Marcos Roundup is a unique, collaborative event and we invite the community to support our student-athletes by coming out for a morning of fitness and fun,” said Jennifer Milo, associate director of CSUSM Athletics. “Along the route participants will be exposed to the beauty of Cal State San Marcos and the wonderfully scenic trail system that the City of San Marcos has to offer.”At the inaugural event last year, Oceanside resident David Kloz led men’s 11K finishing the approximately 7-mile run in 43:16, with Carlsbad-resident Joey Bonfiglio finishing the trail-run for the women’s 11K in 48:25. The top leader board runners in the relatively flat 5K campus and city course were 23-year-old Sergio Gonzalez with 15:24 and 28-year-old Jessica Brothers with 18:52.In addition to individual runners, teams with five or more members are also invited to partake in the races. Awards will be given to the team with the largest number of participants as well as the team with the fastest median time.After the races, participants will enjoy an awards ceremony featuring custom awards and Running Center gift certificates for the top three overall male and female finishers in each race’s age group, as well as the overall winners. The post-race festival will include prize drawings, tasty treats, exciting vendor booths, and live entertainment provided by Cowboy Jack and the North County Cowboys.The registration fee for the community 5K run/walk is $25 for adults; $15 for children age 12 and under; and $15 for students of all ages. Registration fee for the Double Peak Challenge 11K is $35 for adults; $25 for children age 12 and under; and $25 for students of all ages. Online registration closes at end of day on Thursday, April 7. For runners registering on the morning of the Roundup, day-of-event registration opens at 7 a.m. and costs an additional $5 for the 5K and $10 for the Double Peak Challenge.To sign up for the race or volunteer at the Roundup, log on to www.inmotionevents.com or call (760) 692-2900.