2014 5K Run For A Child

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Hosted by Gift For A Child in conjunction with Blue Wave Aquatics


REGISTER NOW for 5K Run for a Child

RUN DISTANCE: 5K

DAY AND DATE: Sunday, September 14, 2014

HOSTED BY: Gift For A Child

LOCATION: Start and Finish at Owen Beach in Pt. Defiance Park, Tacoma, WA.

COURSE: The AquaRun 5K run event will start at Owen Beach on the seawall path heading east 1.25 miles on the right side of the path parallel to the water, to Anthony’s Restaurant. After a 0.6mi loop in the parking lot, runners will return 1.25 miles west back staying on the runners’ right side of the seawall running path that parallels the water. Finish chute is at Owen Beach. 

TIME:
Check-in 10 AM
11:00AM Start

RACE DIRECTOR: Zena Courtney, h:253-927-3695, c:253-740-9872, hrs: 8AM-8PM. zenacourtney@hotmail.com

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all.

SAFETY: Race provided runner race number MUST be worn during the entire race.

AWARDS: There will be random drawing prizes, age-group awards in 5 to 10 year increments (based on participation numbers) and delicious post race food and drink.

ENTRY FEES: Run Only $45.  9.5% sales tax will be added to entry fee.  Online entries are paid by credit card to ClubAssistant.com Events.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Online entries deadline midnight 9/12/14. Day of Race entries allowed for extra fee.

ONLINE ENTRY: Online registration opens on 6-15-14 and closes at 11:59 pm PDT on 9-12-14.

PAPER ENTRIES: Not available.

RESULTS: Results will be emailed within 24 hours of race completion and posted on PNA and Blue-Wave Websites

DIRECTIONS
FROM SEATTLE:
Take I-5 SOUTH to Tacoma (about 32 miles). Take exit 132B for Washington 16W (WA-16) toward Bremerton. Stay on WA16 for approximately 3 miles to Exit 3/6th Ave toward WA-163 N/?Ruston. Turn left onto 6th Ave. Take the 1st right onto N Pearl St. Go 3.2 miles on N Pearl Street to stop sign at Pt. Defiance Park entrance. Continue straight thru stop sign intersection onto N Waterfront Dr. as it curves past Pagoda, stay in right lane and follow directions to the Zoo. Pass the Zoo turn off/ road becomes Five Mile Rd. Continue straight past Rhododendron Gardens. Turn right onto Owen Beach Rd, follow down windy hill. Destination is at bottom. Park in parking lot.

FROM OLYMPIA:
Take I-5 NORTH to Tacoma (about 26 miles). Take exit 132 for S 38th St. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Washington 16W (WA-16)/?Gig Harbor/?Bremerton for 1.0 mi. Keep left to continue on WA-16 west for about 3.0 mi to Exit 3/6th Ave toward WA-163 N/?Ruston. Turn left onto 6th Ave. Take the 1st right onto N Pearl St. Go 3.2 miles on N Pearl Street to stop sign at Pt. Defiance Park entrance. Continue straight thru stop sign intersection onto N Waterfront Dr. as it curves past Pagoda, stay in right lane and follow directions to the Zoo. Pass the Zoo turn off/ road becomes Five Mile Rd. Continue straight past Rhododendron Gardens. Turn right onto Owen Beach Rd, follow down windy hill. Destination is at bottom. Park in parking lot.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Hotels near Race are:
Silver Cloud Inn, Tacoma Waterfront, 2317 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA; ‎(253) 272-1300; www.silvercloud.com, 5 miles
Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway, Tacoma, WA; (253) 238-8000; www.hotelmuranotacoma.com, 7 miles
Best  Western Plus, Tacoma Dome Hotel, 2611 East E Street, Tacoma, WA; (800) 780-7234; www.book.bestwestern.com; 8 miles

Tacoma is called the “City of Destiny” has:

1.  Point Defiance Park - surrounded on three sides by water, the 702 acre (over 283 hectare), it is one of the gems located inside an urban area in the Pacific Northwest. Much of the park is maintained as native forest habitat with hiking trails, picnic facilities, view points and beaches. It is an extremely popular park. Attractions within the park are:
a.  Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium has several points of fame, including a wolf breeding program that allowed the North American red wolf to be re-released into the wild after no wild population remained. The aquarium has a good introduction to marine animals of Puget Sound.
b.  Fort Nisqually Living History Museum - while the original location of the old Puget Sound Hudson's Bay Company fort is now nearly completely suburban development, a 1930s era project moved and restored the historic buildings to Tacoma, where they enjoy a forested setting similar to their old home.
c.  Camp 6 Logging Exhibit has been closed due to difficulty in finding sufficient funds and volunteers. 2010 was the final year of operations.
d.  Rhododendron Garden - Unlike most of the rhododendron gardens in the northwest, the Point Defiance garden simulates the native northwest habitat for these flowers. No fee.
e.  Japanese Garden - is quite small, no entrance fee.
f.  Northwest Native Plant Garden - a semi-wild garden designed to illustrate what can be done with plants that are native to the Pacific Northwest. Divided into sub-sections based on soil type and sun/shade conditions. It is fenced against the deer but the gate is unlocked. No fee.
g.  Rose Garden - Fee to enter, but part fenced off area towards the center of the developed part of park. This is to protect the rose, herb and connected gardens from being eaten by deer.
h.  Trails - there are some 14 miles (23 km) of main trails, plus some branch trails. Much of this is through forest, which is an absolute treasure of a preserved ecosystem. Bald eagles and various other wildlife are regulars in the wilderness part of the park.
i.  The Boathouse and Marina doesn't just feature a place to put your boat. You can rent boats here, plus boat motors, plus rain gear, purchase bait, and a number of pieces of memorabilia. You may not be hugely into boats, but the views from the public walkways around the boat house are wonderful on a clear day.
j.  The Anthony's Restaurant next to the boathouse also features wonderful views and good food too.
k.  An entire section of the park includes a number of smaller gardens, including an herb garden and a small Iris Garden. They aren't much as individual attractions but as a group they are an attractive place to visit in spring.
2.  Museum of Glass and Glass Bridge- The displays of internationally fames artists as well as the real time exhibitions in the "HOT room" are incredible. Watching molten glass become art objects is breath taking.
3.  LeMay Auto Museum -one of the country's best auto museums. The museum is loaded with quality automobiles. Luxury cars like the Duesenberg and Lincoln are on the floor. The people's cars like Chevy and VW also have their niche.
4.  Along Ruston Way are sites: Chinese Reconciliation Garden in Jack Hyde Park, Old Town Dock, Dickman Mill Park, Tacoma Fallen Firefighters Memorial and Park.
5.  Tacoma's Federal Courthouse- One painting in the main room, and decorated with Chihuli's pieces. Austere, discreetly elegant as it is convenient, but the tribute to the local artist continues in the large chandelier, and dignifies the place.

LINKS (To website, map, directions) www.aquarunforachild.org