When Gus Quinonez started the School Ghoul Run, to raise money for the Los Alamitos Unified School District, he envisioned a major annual event. He also knew it would take time to get there.
When Gus Quinonez started the School Ghoul Run, to raise money for the Los Alamitos Unified School District, he envisioned a major annual event. He also knew it would take time to get there.
Now in it’s third year, the School Ghoul 10/5K run is expecting the growth it saw from year one to its second go, to continue. The first run had almost 280 runners with about 100 spectators. Last year those numbers more than doubled, to more than 575 runners and 200 spectators. Organizers are anticipating close to 1,000 runners this year.
“Starting an event is a lot like starting a business; it takes at least a couple of years to be out of the red,” Event Director Laurie Beverage said. “Gus has underwritten a good portion of both events himself because he knows that this an amazing event that benefits an amazing school district.”
Race participants can designate $5 of their registration to the PTA of their choice, or to the Los Alamitos Education Foundation. In its first year, the designations totaled $1,790 and that total jumped to $2,350.
Quinonez and Beverage are aiming to make the School Ghoul as big as races such as the Tustin Dino Dash and Newport Beach Spirit Run, which they say raise a lot of money for education foundations.
“Both of those runs have been doing this for decades so we know we have a long way to go to reach those numbers,” Beverage said.
School Ghoul is run completely by volunteers and 100 percent of the net proceeds are donated to the Los Alamitos Education Foundation. But more than just a fundraiser, Quinonez wants this race to become a draw for elite runners. Next year they expect to be USTA Certified, thus putting them on the circuit that draws those elite athletes.
“Our goal was to bring the run back to Rossmoor because we believe that we have all of the components to have an amazing event – beautiful tree-lined streets, flat and fast, out and back from park to park,” Beverage said.
Quinonez has the credentials of an elite runner, so he knows what they look for in a race.
He holds three American records and was a State Junior College champ in the 10,000 meters. While at UC Irvine, he was a 5-time Big West Conference Individual championship, the Big West Conference Athlete of the Year, team captain for UC Irvine Track and Field and an Olympic Trials Qualifier and Participant Men's Marathon. He is currently training to break the U.S. Masters records and training for 50-mile and two, 100-mile mountain running races.
Quinonez wanted to start the race to give back to the community that had shown amazing support and concern for his son, Kai, as he battled aplastic anemia.
“Gus and his family love this community and want to show their appreciation by giving back to the school district that has gone above and beyond in helping them though that difficult time,” Beverage said. “Kai is in remission and is now playing hockey and living life as any normal 12 year-old boy would.”
Last year Gus invited elite runners from around Southern California and also reached out to an out-of-area high school running group who is struggling financially in an effort show support and encouragement for their dedication to their sport and programs. This year they are also expecting JFTB teams to form and join in the fun and support the many schools in the school district.
There is still time to join as they run and walk for the LAUSD's education foundation on Sunday, Oct. 19. The event includes medals to all participants, cash prizes for top finishers, dog and stroller friendly, Kids Festival of Races, pumpkin patch, pancake breakfast, costume contest, door prizes, community expo, music and more. To register or find out more about how you can be a part of School Ghoul as a participant, volunteer, sponsor or exhibitor visit their website at www.sg-la.org, or call Gus Quinonez at 714-469-6061.
Event Highlights
• Cash prizes three deep and Masters in the 5k & Brooks running shoes top overall
• Cash prize for top overall and Master 10k.
• School Ghoul Los Alamitos medals for all finishers.
• First 500 registrants receive a free pumpkin!
• Catch the Ghoul and win a prize!
• Category winners receive Brooks Merchandise.
• Elite athlete coordinator available.
• Strollers and dogs welcome! Start at the back of the pack
• Enter your cell phone number when you register and receive your time via text
• Kids Festival of Races – trophies for top finishers!
• Pancake breakfast
• Pumpkin Patch
• Ghoul zone ~ carnival games and kids zone
• Costume contest and prizes
• Music
• Community expo & Door Prizes
Parking behind The Shops at Rossmoor at Rossmoor Center Drive
