Race slots are filling up quickly for the 28th Annual Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills, a nationally recognized running event that brings more than 7000 running enthusiasts from around the world to the Conejo Valley.
Event producers anticipate that most races will sell out for the March 23 event.
"We are nearing capacity and encourage signing up now to avoid disappointment and missing out on all the great goodies offered this year with early registration," said event producer Danny Greenberg. “No other event celebrates running like the Great Race.”
The Great Race offers certified races and an award-winning post-race party. The race's two half marathons–Northwestern Mutual Chesebro Half Marathon (mostly trail) and the Pacific Half Marathon (road race)–were awarded “Best in the Nation” by Active.com, praised for their courses around and through scenic national parks in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The Great Race also features a certified 10K and 5K with the Old Agoura 10K ranking among Runner's World Magazine’s top six 10Ks in the country.
Great Race recreational runs include the Kids Mile, one of the largest youth runs in California, and the Camp Kinneret Family Fun Run that sells out every year.
Event producers announced that this year runners will have real-time results and instant updates online and by phone.
"Gone are the days when you waited for the timing company to post paper results. They will be available right away," said Greenberg.
Families and friends of runners can also enjoy technological advancements through an Internet-based tracking website that allows them to follow runners by texts, Facebook and Twitter.
Voted “Best in L.A.,” the post race party features a grand buffet, live band, giant inflatables for kids, giveaways and 50 vendor booths dedicated to sports and fitness.
To pre-register for all races, visit www.greatraceofagourahills.com. Registration will continue until the day before the race for any event not sold out.
For the general public as well as race participants, the Great Race Sports & Fitness Expo is a free, pre-race event offering an indoor rock wall, activities, entertainment, vendor booths and last minute race registration (for races not sold out). The two-day expo is Thursday, March 21, from 12-7 p.m., and Friday, March 22, from 12-6 p.m. at the Agoura Hills/ Calabasas Community Center.
More than 400 community volunteers help produce the Great Race each year. Individuals, service organizations or students wanting community service hours can sign up to volunteer at www.greatraceofagourahills.com/volunteer or email jodi@greatraceofagoura.com.
For 28 years the Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills has served the community, donating over $1.5 M to Agoura Hills and Oak Park elementary schools and high schools’ athletic programs. It also generates fitness awareness programs at Agoura Hills and Oak Park elementary schools, promoting student nutrition and exercise. For the region, the Great Race brings $1.13M annually to the greater Conejo Valley in tourism.
For more information visit www.greatraceofagourahills.com or contact the Great Race staff at 1-877-GR8-RACE.
