Run & Ride: A Scripps Ranch Tradition
By John Gregory
An estimated 4,000 participants are expected to take part in the annual Scripps Ranch Old Pros Fourth of July Run & Ride this year, which includes two running events and three cycling events. There will be no shortage of colorful costumes, and the atmosphere is generally festive and full of camaraderie.
Plenty of serious athletes are drawn to participate, but the majority of those involved are just happy to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air as they celebrate Independence Day early in the morning. Friends and family members turn out to support the participants, and a peppering of neighbors sit along the event routes to provide encouragement.
One of the incredible aspects of this annual spectacle is that all five of the events will be launched between 7 and 8:15 a.m. this year – getting all 4,000 participants safely on their way. Between 400 and 500 volunteers make sure everything goes without a hitch, according to Sean Phillips, 2025 July Fourth Run & Ride director.
“This process starts even before January. Sometimes in November we start working on the permits to get things done for July Fourth,” Phillips said.
These are the 2025 Run & Ride events:
• 10k Run – starts at 7 a.m. on Red Cedar Drive on the street next to Miramar Ranch Elementary School. This run is sanctioned by USA Track & Field.
• 2-mile Fun Run – starts about 7:10 a.m. on Red Cedar Drive on the street next to Miramar Ranch Elementary School.
• 35-mile Street Bike Ride – starts at 7 a.m. on Hibert Street at the intersection with Scripps Ranch Boulevard.
• 22.5 mile Gravel Bike Ride – starts at 7:15 a.m. on Hibert Street at the intersection with Scripps Ranch Boulevard.
• 12-mile Street Bike Ride – starts at 8 a.m. on Hibert Street at the intersection with Scripps Ranch Boulevard.
All the events will end at Hoyt Park.
Both running events as well as the 12-mile bike ride have courses involving Lake Miramar.
“We have a band at the lake to play during the 10k and the bike ride,” Phillips said.
There is an added visual feature for participants as they round the final part of the lake route. The Old Pros install about 60 U.S. flags on the west side of the reservoir a couple of days before the event each year, Phillips explained.
“It’s a very cool, picturesque view when you’re cruising around the lake and seeing all these flags,” he said.
Parking for the running events: Shuttles will run from the parking lot at the old Vons to the start area between 6 and 6:50 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the parking lot no later than 6:30 a.m. Overflow parking will be available in the parking lots for the CoreLogic building located at 10277 Scripps Ranch Blvd. between Meanley Drive and Hoyt Park Drive; and also further up Meanley Drive or Hoyt Park Drive in the PayChex parking lot located at 10150 Meanley Drive. Shuttles will be available between 6 and 6:50 a.m. at the intersection of Meanley Drive and Hoyt Park Drive. The shuttles will not return attendees but the parking lots may be accessed by foot after the race from the Hoyt Park finish line by walking down Canyon Lake Drive to the cul-de-sac and following a short trail back to Hoyt Park Drive.
Parking for the cycling events: Parking is available on Treena Street and in the parking garage at Cush Plaza, 10620 Treena St. Do not park in “no parking” areas or in private parking lots.
The Old Pros will hold a free festival for the entire community in Hoyt Park as Run & Ride participants complete their courses. The festival will include a 17-foot slide for children; a food truck; an ice cream truck; event sponsor booths; and free water, fruit and lemon water. A live band will play starting right after all the event announcements are concluded at the park.
Every event participant over 21 years of age wearing their Run & Ride bib will be admitted to a craft beer garden for free (ID required). Bibs will be available for a $20 fee for nonparticipants so they can also enter the beer garden.
Scripps Ranch streets that will be closed for a short time due to the Run & Ride early on the Fourth of July morning include part of Scripps Lake Drive from the intersection with Scripps Ranch Boulevard to the intersection with Red Cedar Drive; Red Cedar Drive from the intersection with Lake Drive down to Aviary Drive; Grayfox Drive to Vista Valle Drive to Pine Tree Drive to Canyon Lake Drive; and Hibert Street.
This year, registered teams of three runners are eligible to win $250 per team in any of six categories if their combined times are the best in their category. The categories are: Mens Open, Womens Open, Mens 40-plus, Womens 40-plus, High School Boys, High School Girls.
The Scripps Ranch Old Pros is much more than a fun athletic club; and much more than the producer of the Run & Ride. It is the largest charitable organization in the community. In fact, the Old Pros recently established a new nonprofit foundation to distribute funds gained from the Run & Ride.
“Proceeds from this event go to youth sports and scholarships for high school kids going into college,” Phillips explained.
The Old Pros distribute about $25,000 in scholarships annually to local graduating seniors going to college. The organization also donates funds to local youth sports groups including Scripps Ranch Pop Warner, Scripps Ranch Soccer Club, Scripps Ranch Little League, Scripps Ranch Softball Association and sports programs at Scripps Ranch High School.
To register or for more Run & Ride details, visit runride.org.
