Thinking ahead to the 50th year of The Great Race—in 2028—Buzz Ayola, official timekeeper for the past 35 or so years, said it would be nice to “hold it along the corridor to celebrate the big 50 years of racing.”
Here, “the corridor” means Highway 9, between Los Gatos and Saratoga. For now, however, the logistics involved seem insurmountable.
How could a detour lead the cars around this half-day event? And so on. But for old-timers, it would be wonderful. It is a beautiful stretch of roadway—with such an idyllic end in Los Gatos. Surely, the restaurants and shops would cheer this alignment. But enough of looking into the future. Let’s get back to this year’s Great Race.
According to Ayola, 437 racers entered. They were each issued a numbered bib with an electronic tracker inside. This device records the start and finish times.
A short history
The Great Race was originally called the Dammit Run when it began in the 1970s. The starting line was in Saratoga, finishing up, in—where else? Here in Los Gatos, of course! The Dammit Run was started by Willie Harmatz, a former track and field coach at Los Gatos High School. It was also called the Criss Cross Race. After years of holding the race on Highway 9, the event relocated to Oak Meadow Park and Vasona Lake County Park areas.
Around pandemic times, the race paused. After the pandemic ended, the race resumed at the Vasona Park Pavilion.
Today, the start and finish lines are at Gateway Pavilion—a location that’s easier to manage. It’s a four, two and one-mile race length. It’s a USA Track & Field–sanctioned run. This race is presented and produced by the Rotary Club of Los Gatos, with a lot of community support. Lissa Kreisler MC’d the event, providing plenty of encouragement for the racers.
Get your happy pace on
There was also a route where SJ Sharkie was in attendance, posing for photos. Walkers and those-who-pushed-strollers were invited to take the scenic paths of the two parks. The trail passed through familiar areas as well as some lesser-known trails. This was a race that was family-friendly and yet competitive for the very active ones. The Great Race fundraises for great causes and supports our local community.
Some families made a day of it, with picnics and partaking in park rides. Around the Vasona Pavillion there were tables set up with all sorts of swag. Athletic Performance offered coupons.
Doug and Marjorie Brent, The Lopp Family, Paul Christensen, Myron Smith, Dynamic Ladies Race Funders were just some of the valued supporters. Other sponsors included El Camino Health, Leather Square, Spectrum Eye Physicians, the Los Gatan, Darling Fischer, Hillbrook School, Residential Heating & Air Conditioning, Glass and Associates, Los Gatos Thrives, Mike Norcia (event co-chair with Martha Sterne), Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley, and Better Wealth Management. This year was especially nice with Mother Nature cooperating with near-perfect running weather.
And in two years as the Great Race turns 50, will it be held along “the corridor”—starting in Saratoga and ending in Los Gatos? Stay tuned!
