Run & Ride Fourth of July event returns
By Hector Trujillo
The Scripps Ranch Old Pros, an athletic and community minded social organization that provides thousands of dollars in scholarships annually to high school seniors, is preparing for its Fourth of July Run & Ride event for 2023, and registration is open.
The nonprofit group uses the event to sponsor youth athletic teams and award scholarships to graduating high school seniors along with donating to other causes.
“What we’re intending is to get more people this year and have more fun,” said Scripps Ranch Old Pros 4th of July Run & Ride Czar Anthony Gonzalez. “It’s open for everyone to join. We plan on having two bands and the beer garden to be there as well as food concessions.”
The annual Fourth of July Run & Ride has been going on since 1980. The event will involve a 10K race, two-mile fun run, 12-mile street bike ride, 25-mile gravel bike ride and a 35-mile street bike ride. About 4,000 participate in the various runs and bike rides on the morning of the Fourth.
Afterward, around 8,000 people make their way to Hoyt Park for a fun festival at the conclusion of the physical events. In 2022, the festival included face-painters, inflatable jumpies and other activities for the kids.
During the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the event became a virtual one, which meant participants would run on their own time wherever the person wanted to run. But the mission of the overall event remains the same no matter what.
“The purpose is to raise money for youth sports in Scripps Ranch via scholarships,” Gonzalez said.
In 2022, the event raised approximately $30,000. The same goal is set for this time around.
“I’ve been taking part each year since my family and I moved to Scripps Ranch in 2015 and have seen what a positive impact it has on the entire community,” said Scripps Ranch resident Daniel Ortega. “There is so much to do, and you don’t have to be a super athlete to take part. There are fun activities for everyone in all age groups.”
Visit runride.org.