The Devil Mountain Run is a 5K/10K foot-race held annually in Danville, California since 1978.[1]
History
editIt was begun as a fundraiser for the Rowan Branch of Children's Hospital Oakland by local volunteers Nancy Lewis and Jacquie Graham.[2]
The first race was held as a 10K on May 21, 1978. All of the following races were held on the first Sunday in May. The initial race drew 2,000 participants and, at its peak, the Devil Mountain Run had over 10,000 runners.[2] The original course (1978 to 1999) began and ended at the Town and Country Shopping Center as the competitors ran through Danville neighborhoods.[3] Beginning in 2000, the start of the race was moved to what was then the Andronico's grocery store on Railroad Avenue. The 10K course was modified so that it no longer spent as much time in the neighborhoods. The first half of the 10K was mostly on San Ramon Valley Boulevard and the last half was spent on the Iron Horse Trail, a popular biking and jogging trail.[4]
Over the 30-plus years of the race, over $2 Million was raised for Children's Hospital Oakland.[2] The race survived near-cancellation at least three times—twice in the 1990s[5] and also in 2006.[6] The final Children's Hospital Oakland sponsored race was held on May 1, 2011, as the hospital elected to focus their fundraising efforts elsewhere.[7] Forward Motion Sports sponsored a free 5K/10K for 2012[8] and is one of the sponsors for the relaunched 2013 Devil Mountain Run 5K/10K race to be held on May 5, 2013.[9] Between the years of 2013-2021 Chris McCrary, a resident of Danville and a multi-sport athlete took the reigns of the event, raising funds towards Discovery Counseling Center in San Ramon. New races such as the buddi love mile (furry friends and runners mile), as well as the Mile of Truth were created to see who could run the fastest mile. Between 2022-2023, Darryll Whaley, a resident of Walnut Creek and owner of Team Blue Sky Events, partnered with Chris to grow the event in the post pandemic era. In 2023 the Mile of Truth became a Grand Prix Championship event, hosting runners from around the state and in 2024, TBSE, Inc. took the event over and on May 19, 2024, the Mile of Truth became a US Masters 1 Mile Championship for masters runners from all over the United States. The event continues to raise money for Discovery Counseling Center located in San Ramon. Races now include a 5k/10k, Mile of Truth, Kids Fun Run, and Buddi Love Mile.[10]
References
edit- ^ Fowler, Carol (2002). Insiders' Guide to Berkeley and the East Bay. Globe Pequot. ISBN 9780762723737. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ a b c Chiang, Audrey. "From Raggedy Ann to Devil Mountain Run" (PDF). Children's HandPrints - Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ "DMR Original Course". Dl.dropbox.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ Davis, Linda (May 4, 2000). "New Course Set For Benefit Run in Danville". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ^ Hicks, Tony (December 6, 1995). "Devil Mountain Even Runs Out of Sponsors". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ^ Davis, Linda (March 25, 2006). "Danville's Annual Aid Run May Still Be Held After All". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ^ Sweeney, Jason (April 24, 2012). "After 34 years, Danville's Devil Mountain Run canceled". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ "Forward Motion FREE 5K/10K Run". Facebook.com. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ Sweeney, Jason (February 21, 2013). "Devil Mountain Run returns to Danville in May". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ Team Blue Sky Events, Inc.
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