
Runners from around the world join the fun at the sixth annual Oakland running festival
on March 24, 2015
Bumping music, energetic people and booths selling food were all apart of the festivities at the sixth annual Oakland Running Festival on Sunday. The day included a marathon, half-marathon, a 4-person relay, a 5k and a kids’ fun run.
Starting at 7 am, people from all over the Bay Area biked, walked and drove to Snow Park near Lake Merritt where the race began and ended. In total, 9,678 registered runners from 34 states and eight foreign countries ran for personal causes, for fun and to compete for prizes. Race sponsors included Kaiser Permanente, Bank of the West, and Lucky grocery stores.
Oakland native Jesse Cherry placed first in the marathon, running the 26.2-mile course in two hours, 25 minutes, and 14 seconds. He broke the marathon’s record by finishing three minutes faster than the last top-scorer.
San Anselmo’s Devon Yanko made it to Snow Park on the corner of 19th and Harrison street by two hours, 47 minutes, and 24 seconds. Yanko placed first in the marathon’s women’s division.
10-year-old Elliot Daniels from Campbell also unofficially broke a record. He finished the 13.1-mile course in one hour, 29 minutes, and 14 seconds. Daniels unofficially beat the world record for the half-marathon in his age group.
The Black Girls Run! Club, the Rubicon Program and hordes of families also ran the races, receiving medals, support from the Oakland Raiderettes and–if they were lucky–a high five from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
- Early Sunday morning runners were on the course for the sixth annual Oakland Running Festival .(Photo by Candese Charles)
- 10-year-old Elliot Daniels, (center) warms up before attempting to beat the world record for the fastest time to finish the half marathon in his age group. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- Running Festival participants ran around Lake Merritt on the sunny Sunday morning. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- Community members show signs of support as runners make it to the finish line at Snow Park on 19th and Harrison. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- There was plenty of Oakland pride at Snow Park, as Raider fans high five runners and dance in the streets of Oakland. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- Devon Yanko brushes through the Raiderettes and Mayor Schaaf, winning the women’s marathon for the second time. She placed first in 2013. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- This young runner keeps his energy high as he reaches the finish line of the kids fun run. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- Elliot runs towards his world record. After taking a breath Elliot says he plans to, “drink some water and go to sleep.” (Photo by Candese Charles).
- Oakland Mayor, Libby Schaaf, fists bumps a kids fun run participant after finishing the race. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- Oakland mother proudly holds her son as he wears his first fun run medal. (Photo by Candese Charles)
- After a long morning of running 13-26 miles, runners enjoy massages in a booth near the end of the course.(Photo by Candese Charles).
- With energy still high a mini super hero speeds by as the sixth annual Oakland Running Festival comes to a close. (Photo by Candese Charles)
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