SAN JOSE, CA – On the outskirts of Whoville (San Jose, CA) lives a mean nasty Grinch who is plotting this very day to destroy the citizens of San Jose’s Christmas cheer and ruin the 8th Annual “Santa Run Silicon Valley” through downtown San Jose. However, the more than 5,000 runners, joggers and walkers have plans of their own. Dressed up as Santa Clause, Mrs. Claus and their helpers, runners are eager to chase the Grinch from town and support Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice through their fundraising efforts.
The “Santa Run Silicon Valley “sponsored by Google, is set for Sunday afternoon, December 15, with a 2 pm Kids Fun Run for kids ages 2-7, before the 3 pm start of the 5k, taking 5,000 Santa’s from Umpqua Bank on Santa Clara Street and Almaden Boulevard, en route to Christmas in the Park. Runners are encouraged to dress in character as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, reindeer, elves, dreidel, menorah, ornaments, trees and candlesticks and warm up before the race with hot chocolate.
At the finish line runners, will be greeted with a Snow Machine and, like Santa coming down the chimney, each finisher is welcomed with milk, cookies and a finisher medal that acts as a Christmas ornament. Runners and walkers can register at SantaRunSV.com.
Founded and directed by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, the same folks who founded and direct the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, all profits are donated to three local non-profits: Christmas in the Park, Downtown Ice and Reading Partners. Participants are encouraged to bring a new or gently loved (unwrapped) children’s book to benefit Reading Partners. Media interested in covering the event should contact Pam Kelly at Pkelly@avlg.org or Kimberly Ellis at Kellis@svlg.org.
Location: 225 W. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA US 95113
RACE DAY TIMELINE
2:00 pm: Kids Fun Run (ages 2-7)
3:00 pm: 5K Run/Walk
About the Google “Santa Run Silicon Valley”
The Google “Santa Run Silicon Valley” 5K walk/run has become a new holiday tradition in Silicon Valley raising over $500k for Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice since 2012, along with collecting 1,200 children’s books for Reading Partners.
With public funding for Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice rapidly declining, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation – in partnership with former Mayor Chuck Reed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo – launched the Google “Santa Run Silicon Valley” in 2012 to raise funds to preserve these two holiday traditions.
About the Silicon Valley Leadership Foundation
The purpose of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation is to help improve the quality of life in the Silicon Valley region through the provision of funding for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education and other basic necessities of life. The Foundation also supports activities that drive a strong sense of community engagement and serves as a forum for non-partisan research and analysis of public policy issues affecting the Silicon Valley region.
Contact:
Kimberly Ellis, SVP MarComm
Kellis@svlg.org | (408) 501-7853
Pam Kelly, Sr. MarComm Mgr.
Pkelly@svlg.org | (408) 501-7879