The 3rd Annual Be the Light 5k nighttime run/walk, presented by Firehouse Subs, will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m at West Creek Park. Registration is open online and will be available on-site up until fifteen minutes prior to the start of the race.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit A Light of Hope, a Santa Clarita non-profit addiction support center dedicated to 14-26 year olds and their parents.

The 5K will begin promptly at 7 p.m. and follow the San Francisquito Creek Trail, ending with an awards ceremony at West Creek Park. The event is open to competitive runners, novices and walkers, with place medals awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group. All participants will receive a finisher’s medal at the finish line. Runners can also sign up as teams with medals being awarded to the top three finishing teams.

The nighttime run/walk is unique in that hundreds of community members are adorned with glowing lights and create a dazzling spectacle as they move through the night. A goody bag will be provided and some glow lights will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Runners are asked to bring a small flashlight or headlamp to safely navigate the trail while showing their support for those battling addiction.

The 5K course will follow a loop along both sides of the San Francisquito Creek Trail, between Copper Hill Drive and Decoro Drive. The run/walk starts where the trail adjoins West Creek Park, located at 24247 Village Circle. The route will head south along the trail, cross the Decoro Drive bridge, head north on the trail, and cross the Santa Clara River along Copper Hill Drive. Participants will then continue south along the San Francisquito Creek Trail before ending with a dramatic nighttime finish at West Creek Park.

“With two solid years behind us, we’ve got a lot of momentum heading into the 2016 event,” said race organizer Mark Montoya. “We’re looking to surpass last year’s registration of about 600 participants. We’re adding more light stations along the route and have top level chip timing. This year is going to be a blast.”

Aside from participating in the race, community members can show their support for the ‘Be the Light’ 5K in other ways. Race presenters are looking for approximately 60 volunteers and supporters who can opt to sponsor a participant or donate directly through the ‘Be the Light 5K’ website. Runners can also fundraise individually or as a team.

“The energy we’ve seen in the first two years is absolutely electric with participants having an amazing time,” said A Light of Hope President Tim Traurig. “Being among hundreds of community members glowing through the night while supporting a great cause is something not to be missed. It’s also a key fundraiser for our organization that allows us to not only change lives, but save lives.”

The Be the Light 5k, presented by Firehouse Subs, is made possible by Gold Sponsors Total Financial Inc., Skyline Home Loans Inc., and Cabrera Properties Inc., along with Val Surf, Galpin Santa Clarita, and All Pro Landscape Management, Inc. The race is supported by the City of Santa Clarita and Santa Clarita Runners.

EVENT INFORMATION

SCHEDULE

6:00 – 6:45 PM – Participant Check-in / Late Registration

6:30 – 6:50 PM – Festivities & Announcements

7:00 PM – 5K Run/Walk Start

8:00 PM – Winner Awards

FEES – 5K RUNNERS & WALKERS

$35 – Adult Early/Online Registration

$40 – Adult Late Registration (after 9/23)

$25 – Youth – Under 18 Years

A Light of Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Santa Clarita, specializing in addiction and recovery support for 14–26 year-olds and their parents. The organization provides individual and family counseling, Alternative Peer Groups, support groups, interventions and referrals.