Shell MEF Run This Weekend Is A Must-Do

Exercise is not necessarily my friend, or the other way around, but this year will be the second time that I’ll be walking the Shell/Martinez Education Foundation 5k Run-Walk for Education. And I’ll be looking for you, too.

This event is, simply put, a hoot. So many people from all over the city, of every age, participate in this thing, because it’s just flat out fun. And at 5k, it’s really not that much of an effort, though at the end you can say to yourself that you’ve done your part for exercise and education for the day.

This is the ninth year of the event, which is sponsored and hosted by Shell, and all the proceeds go to the Martinez Education Foundation, which uses them to support various program and initiatives in Martinez schools.

This year’s race will again feature the electronic chip timing system and the opportunity to pick up your race number and t-shirt prior to race day.

“The Run for Education just gets better and better every year, and this one promises to the best yet,” said Steve Lesher, Public Affairs Manager for Shell.  “Once again, Shell will be matching the first $10,000 in registrations.”

Registration

The cost is $30.00 on race day; $25.00 for youth (under 18) and $15.00 per person for families of 3 or more (must be immediate family).  Registering is as easy as logging on to www.theschedule.com (search “Shell MEF Run”), or picking up a form at the MUSD office or Martinez Chamber of Commerce. 

Race Day and Timeline

Registration and check-in on race-day will take place at Starbucks Plaza on Main Street and begins at 7:00 AM.  The Run-Walk starts at 8:30 AM.

Course

The course will be the same as the previous 8 races.  The race starts at Estudillo and Main and goes through historic downtown Martinez.  The course is 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and officially sanctioned by USA Track and Field.  It’s great for both serious runners and leisurely walkers; groups or individual competitors.

Street Closures

The following streets will be closed during the race.  We ask that residents plan for them to be closed 7-10 AM, though it does not typically last that long. 

Main Street (between Berrellesa and Court Street)

Alhambra (between Marina Vista and Soto Street)

Marina Vista (between Berrellesa and Shell Avenue)

Escobar (between Berrellesa and Miller)

Soto (between Berrellesa and Alhambra)

Berrellesa (between Soto and Marina Vista)

Court (between Main Street and Marina Vista)

Prizes

Top finishers in each category receive a run medal.  The overall male and female winners will receive a $100 Shell gas card.

Kid Race

After the 5k, there will be the annual “kid race” for small children.  Each participant will receive a ribbon with a special prize for the winner.

Results

Complete results of the race will be posted in Starbucks Plaza after the awards ceremony.  They will also be posted on the Martinez Education Foundation website, www.martinezedfoundation.org.

New This year—avoid the lines on race-day—Pre-Race Packet Pickup on Sep. 29 and 30

Shell's MEF Run for Education's packet pick up will occur on September 29th from 4PM-8PM at Road Runner Sports, Concord.  The address is: 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord CA and phone number is: (925) 825-8052.  Come in and pick your packet up early!  VIP members will enjoy a 25% discount off any purchases made that day (10% otherwise)! RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160108360732352

Packet pick up will also be available at the pre-run pasta feed at the Martinez Senior Center on Sep. 30, 6-8 PM.

Make Way for the Marching Band!

Once again, the fabulous Alhambra High School Bulldog Marching Band will perform in the plaza on race day.  Whether you are walking running, volunteering or just observing, you’ll be fired up!

Shell Sponsorship and Proceeds

The Run-Walk for Education is the signature community project of the Shell Martinez Refinery.  The refinery provides financial support, staffing, and many volunteers for the event.  All proceeds from the race go to the Martinez Education Foundation to benefit the MUSD schools.  In addition to playing the lead role in underwriting, Shell will match the first $10,000 in registrations.  Last year, the event raised approximately $50,000 for the Martinez Education Foundation. 

Pasta Feed

In addition to the event itself, the Martinez Rotary and Kiwanis clubs will be hosting their traditional pre-race pasta feed on Sep. 30, at the Martinez Senior Center located at 818 Green Street in Martinez.  Entry is $15.00 per person (kids under 6 are free), and will feature a terrific silent auction.  This is a chance to load up on carbs before the race!  As with the race itself, all proceeds from the pasta feed go to the Martinez Education Foundation.  Whether you are running the next day or not, it’s a great way to support the schools. 

The dinner runs from 6-8 PM.  Race packet pickup will be available.

Special Discounts

A number of local merchants are offering discounts to Run for Ed participants.  Your run for Ed. T-shirt is your official coupon for special offers at Legal Grounds, Royal Thai, Mr. Lucky’s, Sunflower Garden, Pacific Pizza, Creek Monkey Tap House, Back Forty Texas BBQ, Copper Skillet, Luigi’s Deli, Roxx on Main, La Tapatia and Kinder’s.  See the sheet inside your race-day goodie-bag for detailed discount info.

Sponsors and Supporters

In addition to the major sponsorship provided by the Shell Refinery, sponsors for the 9^th Annual Run-Walk for Education include: Shell Chemical Plant, Brand Energy Services, Romero General Construction, Sierra Processing, Benicia Fabrication, Starcon, Petrochem Field Services, ConocoPhillips, Marty O’s Catering, Les Schwab, Siemens, Roadrunner Sports of Concord, Brinderson, Contra Costa Electric, A3IM, Nalco, Newtron, Mistras, L&M Industrial Fabrication, J.T. Thorpe, Performance Mechanical, Pacific Coast Chemicals, MRC McJunkin, Groundbreakers, PG&E, RSC and Underground Construction.  We are grateful to all of our sponsors for their generosity and leadership. 

We also thank the volunteers from the Martinez Education Foundation, Martinez Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Martinez, Martinez Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, the City of Martinez and the Martinez Police Department, and the members of the Shell/MEF Run for Education Organizing Committee: Barbara Kapsalis, Leanne Peterson, Larry Lippow, Steve Lesher, Erin Hallissy, Howard Jones, Cathy Ivers, Aaron Roth, Aaron Ford, Jan Berletti, Denise Elsken, Joelle Fockler, Marlene Haws, Diane Beck, Reba Bower, Cynthia Murdough, Pete Clauson, Rami Muth, and C.J. Cammack.

Volunteers

Volunteers are always needed on race-day to serve as course monitors, hand out goody-bags, etc.  To volunteer, call Barbara Kapsalis at (925) 229-9079 or bjkapsalis@aol.com.

Hotline

Shell has established a “Run for Education” hotline at (925) 313-5562 where people can get information, leave messages, volunteer, etc.

Logo Contest

Each year, Shell sponsors a contest in the Martinez Unified School District to design the run logo, which appears on that year’s t-shirt and other promotional materials.  Aaron Sullivan of Martinez Junior High School drew this year’s design. For winning the contest, Aaron received a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of Shell and 4 tickets to see the Giants play the Dodgers courtesy of PG&E.

Follow the Run on Facebook

You can follow the run on Facebook.  Go to www.facebook.com, and type in “Shell Refinery in Martinez.”