We Enjoyed The Race, Check Our Photos

We're finally getting back to normal following the Fourth Annual Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run.

Thank you to all who attended, and the nearly 50 volunteers who helped make the race another success.

We had beautiful weather, and our largest crowd since the first year in 2006.

In all, we had 333 finishers, and another 47 in the free kids' run.

It was a spectacular day, and we're thrilled to report that there were no injuries to our runners or our volunteers.

One of our volunteers, Wayne Niehus, shot this spectacular photo of half-marathon winner Jason Perez climbing up the Vista Grande trail.

So, look here for results at the bottom of the page.

And here for a gallery of photos.

We've tentatively set Saturday, Oct. 23 as the date for next year's run.

In the meantime, we'll have our Los Vaqueros Dam Trials bike event on April 10, and the Wildflower Run 10K on May 1.

See you soon!

Online Registration Extended Until Thursday Noon

Our online registration for the Tarantula Run will be extended for a day and a half.

So, you can still sign up online starting Wednesday, Oct. 21 starting around 8 a.m. through noon on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Look here to sign up on line.

You can also register the day of the race. But make sure you get there early. The half-marathon starts at 8 a.m., the 5k-10k at 8:30 a.m.

Trails Look Good After two early season rains, our trails appear to be in good shape for the run.

The weather forecast is for sunny weather through the run, so that will help our trails firm up by Saturday.

We'll be inspecting them all on Thursday and Friday, but don't expect any changes.

We'll let you know here.

What About This Rain and the Tarantula Run

Today's rain is very welcome, but it may impact the Tarantula Run.

The forecasts we've seen indicate that there will be sunny weather once the storm passes.

As far as the run, we'll go on rain or shine on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The big issue will be the condition of the dirt trails.

If the trails remain muddy, we won't be able to run the normal courses (mud at Los Vaqueros is really slippery and we could not get an emergency vehicle out there if there was an emergency), but we'll change the courses to the asphalt Walnut Blvd. and possibly portions of the Mariposa Trail.

For example the 5K might go to the Interpretive Center and back, while the 10K would go to the top of the dam and loop around to the kiosk. If Mariposa Trail is navigable, we'd have the half-marathon go up the trail and circle back down to Walnut.

We'll see what conditions permit.

Please check back on the blog, or sign up for the blog, and we'll keep you updated. Have a question, send an e-mail to jfreschi@ccwater.com or call him at (925) 688-8175.

T Shirts Being Printed, Arriving Soon

The Tarantula Run shirts are being printed for delivery in plenty of time of the run. This year, the shirts themselves will be tan for the runners, and yellow for the volunteers.

The shirts this year will come in children's sizes this year, for youngsters who participate in the 5K, 10K or half-marathon.

Tarantula Run Deadlines Rapidly Approaching

Two deadlines for the Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run are coming up, with early registration closing on Saturday, Oct. 10. You'll save $5 if you register early.

The other deadline is for registering by through mail. You can print out our entry. Please get it in the mail by Oct. 11 (yes that's a Sunday, but that's OK).

If you register online through Active.com, please look here:

Of course, you can also register on race day, but get to Los Vaqueros early to make sure you get signed up and pick up your shirt and other goodies we have.

The half-marathon begins at 8 a.m. and the 10K-5K at 8:30 a.m. The gates to LV open at 6 a.m. on Oct. 24, the day of the race.

Free 1K Kids Run

We'll have a free 1K run for kids at the Tarantula Run; start time will be around 9:30 a.m. It's a flat course, and will start and finish at Kellogg Creek.

We and the kids have had a lot of fun with this run, and are looking forward to it once again. You do need to sign up on the day of the race -- but there is no charge. Every kid gets a race number and ribbon, no one wins or loses. We'll have a few other giveaways as well.

Music Ideas?

We play music at Kellogg Creek during the run, and all the songs have something to do with running or walking.

We have put together a crazy collection of 57 songs including "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, "I Walk The Line" with Johnny Cash, and "Nowhere to Run" by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (you also get a good idea of how old I am). All songs with no connection except the words "run" or "walk" in the title or the chorus.

So end us some song titles, and we'll add them to our play list. Send an email to Jim Freschi at jfreschi@ccwater.com or call him at (925) 688-8175 with your songtitles.

Tarantula Run on Facebook

Runner Ester Park has set up a Tarantula Run page up on Facebook. Become a member:

Tarantulas Making An Appearance

Our staff at Los Vaqueros is reporting that they're starting to see some tarantulas on both sides of the reservoir. This photo was taken last week.

This is the time of year that we see the normally-reclusive and very hairy critters, as they hunt down potential mates.

So be on the lookout when you're at Los Vaqueros on the trails, or even driving.

From a distance, tarantulas look like a leaf tumbling across the trail. Up close, there's little doubt of what they are. Tarantulas will bite if provoked, so leave them alone, and they'll leave you alone. A tarantula bite is painful, but is not poisonous.

On race day (Oct. 24), we'll have Naturalist Mike Marchiano bring his live and mounted tarantulas out to the starting area, and answer all your questions about them.

We're Still Working On The Trails

We need to do some grading near the finish area at Kellogg Creek, but otherwise our trails are in good shape. Let us know if you see an area that needs work. Call (925) 688-8175 or jfreschi@ccwater.com.

Directional signs are up on all three courses, and mileage markers are up on the 5K & 10K course. We expect to have mileage markers on the half-marathon this weekend.

Can't Run or Walk, But Would Like To Help?


If you would like to volunteer to help with the run, we’d love to have you join us. We need help with the registration, the free kids’ 1K run, and helping with the aid stations on the course. Even if you can help only for a few hours, that would be great, we’ll have a job for you.

It’s a lot of fun.The runners are a nice bunch of people to work with and we’ll provide you with a fabulous t-shirt and a darn good meal.

For high school students, helping with the run can qualify for community service hours.

Call Jim Freschi at (925) 688-8175 or send an e-mail to: jfreschi@ccwater.com.

Stop in For Ice Cream on Saturday

Take a shot at making some great home made ice cream the way it was made in your great-grandma’s day – with a hand-cranked ice cream maker on Saturday, Sept. 26 at noon until about 1:30 p.m. Learn the history of this cold old-fashioned treat, and indulge yourself in some. You can create an ice cream sandwich, a root beer float or just a cup of ice cream. This is sure to be a cool time! Like all activities at the Interpretive Center, it's free.

Free Tarantula Run Posters Now Available

Our new really colorful poster for the 2009 race is now available, and we'd be happy to send one or more to you.

The posters are 11 x 17, and are professionally printed on card stock.

Just send us an e-mail with your address on it, and we'll get it to you in the regular mail or call (925) 688-8175.

If you belong to a gym, or would like to post the posters at work or school, we can send you some as well along with a bunch of entries.


Hours Getting Shorter at Los Vaqueros

We know many of you come out to Los Vaqueros to practice run the trails. The hours at LV will be getting shorter in September, when LV will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sadly, no more really early morning runs.

Bypass Construction May Force Detours

Those of you who use the Highway 4 Bypass to get to LV need to know that there will be some periodic closures between Balflour and Marsh Creek Road starting Aug. 31 and will continue at least a week.

To get to LV from Balflour, turn left (east) onto Balflour and then right (south) to the watershed on Walnut Blvd.