The 2025 Los Gatos Great Race won’t get off the starting block until Aug. 30, but this Saturday is the deadline for early-bird pricing on registration. Already, sponsors are lined up for this very well-supported community event.
That support is coming from local hospitals, health practitioners, banks and businesses that have come together to help and sponsor this race. And we have our Rotary Club of Los Gatos, which has carried on this tradition for almost half a century. This race has been held almost every year since it began 47 years ago—though it was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A ‘Dammit Run’
The Great Race was originally called the Dammit Run when it began back in the ’70s. The Dammit Run was started by Willie Harmatz, a former track and field coach at Los Gatos High School. Today our Great Race is now a USA Track & Field–sanctioned run and assisted by the Rotary. It’s also been called the Criss Cross Race. After years of holding the race on Highway 9, the event lost its police backing and eventually moved to Oak Meadow Park and Vasona Lake County Park area, with the start and finish lines at Gateway Pavilion—a much safer area.
The Great Race is Our Race
“This race has been a cornerstone of our community for nearly half a century,” said Paul Johnson, Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent and current Rotary Club of Los Gatos president. “This year we are focusing on bringing in more families to run. We encourage kids to be part of this healthy and fun way to raise funds for causes that matter.”
At 8am on the event day, younger racers start with the 1-Mile Fun Run. Walkers are also welcome to walk the course through the scenic paths of the two parks. The trail will pass through familiar areas of the parks as well as some lesser known. Get off that beaten path and encourage the whole family to enjoy the great outdoors in a healthy activity.
The starting gun for the adult 4 Mile Great Race event will go off at 8:30am. This sanctioned four-mile race involves pretty complicated logistics. This race is fast and dedicated runners from all over compete in it.
Get Your Happy Pace On
For the serious runners, credits may be earned to qualify to try out for the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles. There will be an aid station and many monitors ensuring all participants stay safe and on the course. This event promises to be a fast, fun and beautiful race.
If you participate, pre-registering is best; you will be provided with a bib that has an electronic tracking device in it. This will record the time it takes you to complete the race. Register online prior to Aug. 1 at LGGreatRace.com. Visit this link for a race map and view the official USA Track & Field Measurement Certificate here.
About Our Rotary Club
Chartered in 1924, the Rotary Club of Los Gatos is a dynamic group of professional and community leaders committed to “service above self.” This is done through volunteerism and fundraising. The mission of the Los Gatos Rotary Charities Foundation is to provide high-impact support focused on youth and those in need—locally and globally—through enduring partnerships.
Rotarian Friends of the Great Race are Richard Bobis, Linda Levenson, Marlon Smith, Doug and Marjorie Brent, and Dan Snyder.
Bring the entire family and join in with the Rotary Club of Los Gatos for the 47th Annual Great Race. A great race for great causes and support of our local community.
