Runners of all ages round the loop at the 2015 Quail Creek Sports Run (courtesy of photographer Al Miller).
On February 28, 113 5K runners and 70 2K walkers/dog walkers braved the gusty winds to participate in our annual Quail Creek Sports Run event. In preparation for the 9:00 a.m. race start, volunteers, participants (including dogs!) and sponsors began arriving early that Saturday morning. The Madera Clubhouse parking lot was a sea of racers warming up (led by Wuanita Powers, certified instructor for the Silver Sneakers Strength and Balance Class at our Anza Athletic Club), walkers and dogs getting acquainted and everyone attempting to avoid being blown away. Despite the windy conditions, Race Director Joe Cuffari and his team persevered and provided a perfectly executed race event for all participants.
The run/walk was the culmination of months of preparation by our Sports Committee led by Chair Doug Sakal. Volunteers who planned the event included: Lea Hoffman, Jim Graham (who led the Couch to 5K pre-race conditioning program), Nancy Sakal, Anita Fisk, Ken Burns and Kathe Alves. Volunteers representing the two charities supported by the event were Rose Welliver and Carol Clifford (The Animal League of Green Valley) and Mary Jane Goodrick (Green Valley – Sahuarita Community Food Bank). Staff members assisting the volunteers in the planning and execution of the event were Epi Torres, Colleen Aldridge and Nancy Planck.
The Sports Committee is extremely grateful to all who helped make this event fun for all! Thanks go out to: Robson Communities, Inc.; the Green Valley Fire Department; Green Valley Recreation; and Seniors Helping Seniors. Thanks also go to the Green Valley Pecan Company for their raffle prize donation and a special thank you to Papa Murphy’s Pizza for not only their raffle donation (including one free pizza per month for a year!) but also for providing delicious freshly baked pizzas on-site for the race participants! The Sports Committee also thanks our own Food & Beverage operation for supplying refreshments for the participants and for the help of our Community Services/Patrol staff for their safety support.
On behalf of the POA Board, Board Representative to the Sports Committee Dreama Fumia offers appreciation to Doug and all members of the Sports Committee who volunteer their time, efforts and talents to bring this event to the community each year.