Annadel- A Love Affair

Wow! Feb. 7th came and went and it was beautiful. The sold out Annadel Half Marathon was a huge success. In the weeks and days prior to the event, the weather had been so bad that we were concerned that the trail race might have to be cancelled or postponed. Fortunately enough, Annadel wore her Sunday best on race day and the weather was perfect. While the trails were still muddy, wet and potentially dangerous, the weather was cool and sunny. According to several runners, the already challenging route just became more memorable because of all the mud and water on the course. The common denominators amongst all the runners at the finish line were smiles and muddy legs. Some were muddier than others and some even had their knees glistening with blood from a minor brush, scrape or fall but many related to me that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and felt an awesome sense of community. If you participated in any way, whether as a volunteer, race participant, training group participant, sponsor, or helper than a heartfelt "Thank You". I think we can all be proud of what we helped accomplish. Together we helped raise over $20,000 for Annadel State Park via the Annadel Half Marathon Race and supplemental Fleet Feet Training Group.

Annadel needed our help. Back in September, we learned that Annadel was on the list of 100 California State parks set to close in order to help manage the seemingly unmanageable California budget. Many people, including myself were shocked that this could be a possibility. The place is special to many of us. Whether you are a hiker, runner, mountain biker, swimmer, or equestrian, then you most likely have fallen in love with with its majestic oaks, beautiful manzanitas, and its variety of spectacular trails . While meandering through the trails of Annadel, life can get significantly less complicated, as we realize what is important and what is not. I remember my first run in Annadel which was just over 4 years ago. I remember at first being intimidated by the mountain lion warning signs, the many steep and rocky trails, and getting horribly lost while I blew up my lungs trying to run up Spring Creek trail. The more I continued to run and bike in Annadel, the tougher and stronger I became and the more I fell in love with her. I didn't run for exercise anymore or to stay in shape, I ran in Annadel because I enjoyed it more than anything else in the world. Now this love affair has not always been pleasant. At Annadel's hand, I've had two fractured front teeth, 15 stitches to the side of my face, numerous bloodied knees and elbows, multiple running and mountain biking injuries and many falls on my gluteus maximus. I guess you could call it unconditional love.

I could not sit on the sidelines, while our government decided the fate of my favorite place on the planet. Thankfully, many others felt the same way. It was easy to convince Rhonda (owner of Fleet Feet) to have our trail running training group be a fundraiser for the park. It was easy to get over 100 people to join the group and raise over $10,000 for Annadel. It was easy to convince the Empire Runners Club that we should have an Annadel Half Marathon which would raise additional money for the park. It was easy to convince 300 runners to participate in our race and it was easy to get over 70 volunteers to help out. It was easy because many people hold a special place in their heart for Annadel. What was not so easy, was getting the permits, figuring out the logistics and making the whole thing become a reality. For that, I think some special thanks are in order. I knew that I couldn't do all this myself. I needed a support team to help me with all the intracies. Luckily, I have some great friends who were willing to meet with me at least once a week over several months to sort out the details. Val Sell lent her race director skills, connections and know how to ensure that we put together a quality event. My good friend Halley Eppinger lent her sales and marketing skills and acquired more sponsors than I thought possible (she also assisted me with coaching the training group), and my adopted West Coast family the Nasons (Hank & Tawnya) assisted with volunteer coordination, race day logistics and organizing. Without this awesome support team, I don't think this event would have been anywhere near as successful. I am truly grateful for all their efforts and I'm sure Annadel is as well.

I would also like to personally thank Fleet Feet Sports and Empire Runners for being the main sponsors of this race, Jerry Lyman for handling the insurance issues, Ranger Bob Birkland and Ranger Neil Fogarty for helping us get the permits and getting the course in shape for race day, the over 70 volunteers which include finish line, course monitors, aid station workers, and staging area helpers, our sponsors ( REI, Trek Bicycle Store, Camelbak, XtremeSportsID, Skweet, Wells Fargo, Massage Envy, Lagunitas, TrailMonger.com, TEP ENGINEERING, Empire Runners Master Men Cross Country Team, and Nimble Training), the 300 participants and over 100 training group members. I am very proud of what we accomplished together. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

While $20,000 is surely nothing to shake a stick at, it won't be enough to make a real difference, unless we continue to support our park and find ways to thwart any forthcoming park closures or budget cuts. I'm inspired though by the level of support that this community showed on February 7th at the Inaugural Annadel Half Marathon and am now convinced that we will not sit on the sidelines while someone else decides the fate of our beloved park. Together we can and will make a difference. I look forward to seeing you on the trails in Annadel for many years to come.

Sincerely,
Marc Strozyk (Race Director of the Annadel Half Marathon and head coach of the Fleet Feet Trail Running Group)

I would also like to thank by name the many volunteers and companies that lent their support:

Official Sponsors: Fleet Feet Sports, Empire Runners, REI, Trek Bicycle Store, Camelbak, XtremeSportsID, Skweet, Wells Fargo, Massage Envy, Lagunitas, TrailMonger.com, TEP ENGINEERING, Empire Runners Master Men Cross Country Team, and Nimble Training
Aid Station Volunteers: Jan Schwartz, Andrew Suppinger, Summer Klinker, Jay Reed, Nita Ferris, Alina Sepeda, Chris Rostel, Robert Thille, Gregg Jennings, Kelly Ridgeway, Julian Orozco, Sarah Reid, and Pam Frank .
Course Monitors: Anita Arouras, Peggy Corcoran, Nick Stephenson, Patrick Burden, Jay Emery, Joe Martynk, Gerald McCormick, Dan Walters, Jim Philson, Michael Shulkin, Lynne Philson, Lupe Arce, and Bob Birkland.
Staging/Finishing Area: Neil Fogarty, Rhonda Roman, Chandra Farnham, Mandy Lee, Forrest Nason, Duncan Nason, Nenna Crowley, Dennis Crowley, Meaghan Plattner, Tara Kellett, LeeAnn Pickle, Kurt Pickle, Wendy Breazeale, Meaghan Breazeale, Gil Moreno, Isaac Nason, Allison Kalis, Marc Abbruzzese, Josie O'Brien, Rilee O'Brien, and Sasha Cave.
Finish Line: Val Sell, John Staroba, Doug ?, Brad Zanetti, Bev Zanetti, Bob Shor, Becky Nelson, Ruth Taylor
Emergency Personnel: Ralph Topo EMT, and Jack Fichiniya of Santa Rosa Fire
Lead Bike: Gary Breazeale
Drag Bike: Winter Nason
Thanks to the following for making special contributions: The Pasta King, Saucony, Gu Energy Gel, Peet's Coffee, Harold Potts, Mary's Pizza Shack, Party Tents & Events, Culligan Water, Silkies Screening, and Pacific Markets.