2016 CVNL Bay Area Human Race story and photos

View impact to date — and enjoy a collection of photos from from Race day on Saturday May 7, 2016 — from warm up, to the start, finish and scenes from the Community Village (slideshow above).

 

Celebrating our community coming together at the 34th Anual CVNL Bay Area Human Race!

Community spirit was palpable as hundreds gathered to support local nonprofits and schools in the largest collaborative fundraiser and nonprofit celebration in Marin County: the Bay Area Human Race. Saturday, May 7, 2016, marked the 34th consecutive year that Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) has hosted the Race. Drizzling rain did not stop friends, neighbors, and community members from gathering early in the morning at the Marin County Fairgrounds. 1,154 people ran, walked, strolled and rolled the 5K winding course to raise funds for causes they care about (that’s a total of 3,577 miles!).

Learn more: read the recent press release that recaps Race impact.

Some of our favorite moments from the 2016 Bay Area Human Race:

1. For three months — starting at the Kick Off in February — organizations of all sizes and types participated in the Race. For many, the Race serves as their primary fundraiser or as one of their largest fundraising activities. Organizations use the Race to rally their supporters around specific program needs. “The 2016 Bay Area Human Race was an awesome community event,” said Kate O’Conor, Director of Services at Lifehouse. “The Lifehouse Team had 95 members this year and raised over $13,000 to support people with disabilities to have independent lives. We look forward to next year!”

2. We were proud to be “green” this year and encouraged minimal waste, recycling, and compost through our partners North Bay Conservation Corp and Marin Sanitary, and refillable water bar station provided by US Pure Water. One of our sponsors, Bradley Real Estate furthered the ‘green’ mission with giving out free refillable water bottles. And the water cups from World Centric at every water station around the course and at the finish line were Compostable & Biodegradable. How cool is that ?!?

3. Conecting with the community. The Bay Area Human Race is one of the best ways in Marin for a group of friends to connect with the entire community while doing good, having fun, and getting exercise on a bright beautiful morning. Everyone should do it. –Hank Edson, The International Association of Sufism

4. From their highly-visible red truck in the Community Village, Red Whale Coffee was serving “nectar of the gods” — a hand-selected and specialized process that “requires a balance of science, art, food, and community.” We couldn’t have said it any better.

5. Right next to the coffee was a pancake breakfast provided by our own CVNL board of directors who were flipping pancakes at 7am! Their energy and passion for the health of our community (With grace and style for flipping, we might add) ensured there was a line all morning. The Isoji ART-IS-Health Jazz Band played for the whole Community Village.

6. What did we do with the leftover food? CVNL was ExtraFood’s food donor of the week. “Thanks for ‘thinking green’ and alerting us, in advance, that there would be leftover food on your big race day! Your donation went to St Vincent de Paul who is always grateful for dairy donations!” –Marv Zavderer, Executive Director of ExtraFood.org

7. “The Human Race is one of Redwood Credit Union’s pillar fundraising events each year. We love that it allows our employees to raise funds for the nonprofit of their choice, and it’s a great way to interact with other groups and individuals who are passionate about making a difference in our community.” –Richard De Ramon, Redwood Credit Union Novato Branch

8. There is something for everyone! From a timed 5K for marathon runers, and walking, wheelchair rolling, or walking with their dog for everyone else (including my family), 5 local musicians along the race course, to a kids zone with jumpy houses from Jubilee Jumps and kids run. The whole morning is a family affair for all generations.

9. What happens when you have 6 photographers capturing one large-scale community event? Amazing pictures that don’t miss a beat. Thank you Marin Photography Club for amazing talent.

10. The Community Village was full with over 60 booths with innovative ideas, community resources, and nonprofits sharing their mission and ways to get involved. Kaiser Permanente, a long-time sponsor, had a sunscreen bar featuring “make a bracelet with UV beads that changed color in the sun”, plus nurses on site to test your blood pressure.

11. Local musicians along the race course are a highlight for the runers and walkers — and the musicians. For the 13th year, the MacIntosh Pipe Band was at the start line with a full bagpipe and drum procession and The Rippers, from Marin Ventures, who fosters independence for developmentally disabled adults had lots of fun at this year’s Human Race. They got to not only play for an appreciative audience, but see many of their friends run by as they did so. It is truly a unique opportunity for a rock band to perform at 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

12. Tut tut — the rain did not deter the 78 volunteers who made the Bay Area Human Race run smoothly. They were at every corner helping with registration, water stations, kids races, or cheering on runers along the course and at the finish line. Every year we are indebted to the volunteers who come out to support the Human Race. Plus, it’s so much fun!

13. Where else can you see different nonprofits coming together in one space to celebrate humanity? The event has raised more than $7.5M for nonprofits, schools and community groups over the years. This year, CVNL was pleased to announce the expansion of the Marin Human Race to include both Marin and Napa Counties — and renamed it the: CVNL Bay Area Human Race™.

Thanks to our sponsors and in-kind donors…

we’re able to produce the event and provide an important platform where organizations can highlight their mission and raise money with minimal effort, and maximum fun. Sponsors include Marin Community Foundation, County of Marin, Marin Independent Journal, Bradley Real Estate, Flipcause, Good Earth Natural Foods, Kaiser Permanente, Milagro Foundation, Marin ACE, Marshall Arts, and Redwood Credit Union. In-kind sponsors include, Bright Star Security Inc., Clover Stornetta, Ghilotti Brothers, Jubilee Jumps, Las Gallinas Lions Club, Marin Photography Club, Marin Sanitary, Noah’s Bagels, Red Whale Coffee, Revolution Foods, Unicorn Group, US Pure Water, West End Café, and World Centric.