Get out your running and walking shoes as Coastwise Capital Group LLC and Generic Events recently announced a scenic 1-mile foot race for the inaugural Coastwise Mile on Oct. 4.
This USA Track and Field-certified course travels along Prospect Street, through historic La Jolla Village to Coast Boulevard, before a spectacular ocean-view finish at Ellen Browning Scripps Park.
The event offers numerous divisions for athletes of all abilities, including youth, masters (40+), baby jogger, walking and a Mutt Mile for people to run/walk with their canine companion. The event schedule culminates with a three-person corporate relay that will inspire team competition for countless companies, running clubs and high schools throughout the area. Each team member will complete one loop on the 1-mile course and the best cumulative time wins.
According to Michelle Lindner, marketing director for Generic Events, the expectation is that there will be up to 1,000 participants.
“We’ve designed the event to have something for everyone to bring the community together in a positive and fun atmosphere,” Lindner said.
Like any event, sponsorship is key, and Lindner noted sponsors to date include Road Runner Sports, Mr. Solar, Madison Gallery and Petco.
Scott Kyle, CEO and chief investment officer for Coastwise Capital Group, noted that he had several inspirations behind the race.
“I grew up participating in all sorts of athletic events, including running races at a young age,” he said. “I also started a sports company here in La Jolla (now more than 2,000 employees worldwide), The Active Network, so a healthy, active lifestyle has been in my blood since an early age ” and something I have consistently stayed involved in personally and professionally throughout my life and career.”
Kyle said the Illinois town he grew up in always had an annual event on Fourth of July where everyone came together to enjoy running races for kids and adults within a festival atmosphere.
He also worked for companies that participated in the Chase Corporate Running Challenge running series that takes place around the country (teams of five people), and notes that it was always a fun and healthy experience.
Kyle sees the October event as an event that the entire family and community can enjoy.
“To bring families together in a healthy, positive way ” there are not that many events out there that allow for everyone to participate, from little kids to adults to the family dog,” he said.
The race also provides benefits to local charities, an additional and important goal.
“The ones we selected tie in directly with the theme of the event ” animals/Humane Society, and keeping the Cove/park area beautiful/Scripps Park Project, for all to enjoy,” Kyle commented.
Kyle believes this will become an annual event that the entire community looks forward to.
“We will crown the ‘Fastest La Jolla high school student,’ ‘Speedy 5-year-old’ and the ‘Magnificent Mutt,’ among others, and have all sorts of community-oriented activities and recognitions that people will look forward to each year,” Kyle said. “This will also be great for sponsors who will want to benefit from this annually, as it will be a great way to market on a direct, grassroots level, much akin to how the La Jolla Half Marathon is a San Diego tradition that brings out the surrounding community in a healthy, positive way.”
For further information, visit www.coastwisemile.com.