Brian Shea, who helped found the Will Rogers 5/10K race, and who has served as a the race director sent out a plea to runners this year.
(Brian Shea, Will Rogers 5/10K Race Founder and Director of 44 years, sent the letter below. Many entrants might not realize that their entrance fee for the July 4 race not only pays for permits, timing and T-shirts, but any extra funds go to support local nonprofits. In 2019, $30,000 went to 21 groups including money for the parade, Movies in the Park, the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association, the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, local schools and the Village Green.)
I want to thank Pacific Palisades residents, runners, kids and all the volunteers for helping with the Will Rogers 5 & 10K Run and Kids’ Fun Run.
For the last two years, Races #43 and #44 have been canceled. Last year it was cancelled because of the Covid-19 virus shutdown.
This year, we had to cancel because of the City’s unwillingness to issue a permit with unconditional restrictions until June 15.
I understand the reluctance to issue the 2021 permit for bureaucratic reasons, but there is too much to do in the short time allotted after June 15 in order to put on a 5/10K and Kids’ Fun Run that runners would be proud of and appreciate. Therefore, the 44th Race was canceled.
Residents can still help celebrate the 44th race by making a donation. Various local nonprofits need our support more than ever.
All donors of $20 or more can pick up a specially designed t-shirt, including Kids’ Fun Run t-shirts, which will be distributed with a family donation. T-shirt pick up details will be included with the donation receipt. (Visit: palisades10k.com)
Who knew 44 years ago that the Palisades Will Rogers Run would grow from humble beginnings to one of the Premier Races on the West Coast?
Thank you all for your past and future support.
Brian Shea
P.S., I’m looking forward to the 45th PWRR … Hopefully next year!!!
This state and city is the laughingstock of the United States and deservedly so.
Beyond pathetic.