Big 10 for Oak Knoll's 'Otter Run' Big 10 for Oak Knoll's 'Otter Run' (May 26, 2004)

** A thousand runners and walkers are expected at the fundraiser for Menlo Park school.

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

Who would have thought 10 years ago that the gathering of some Oak Knoll School families for a "fun run" one Sunday morning in June would evolve into the annual community event and school fundraiser known as the Otter Run?

On Sunday, June 6, about 1,000 people -- kids, parents, teachers, grandparents and community members -- are expected to take off from Oak Knoll School in the 5K walk/race that now has grown in size with corporate and family sponsorships, entertainment and treats for all.

Credit for launching the Otter Run, named after the school's mascot, goes to mothers Lee Gregg and CeCi St. Geme, then Oak Knoll parents. They decided that after eight months of hard schoolwork and studying, Oak Knoll families needed a chance to get together to exercise and have fun.

Festivities begin at 8 a .m. with personal trainers leading a pre-race warm-up at the school, located at 1895 Oak Knoll Lane in Menlo Park. The run starts at 8:30 a.m.

Participants may choose the 5K timed-double loop or the 1.5-mile single-loop run through the flat and shaded residential streets of the Oak Knoll neighborhood.

To register for the run, go to http://www.active.com/event, click on "Individual Sports," and type in "Otter Run" in the Events Box. Early registration fees are $20 for adults and $10 for children 18 and under, through Friday May 28. The fee goes up $5 after that date. Registration forms also are available in the Oak Knoll School office.

The Otter Run has helped Oak Knoll raise money for all kinds of projects, said this year's co-chairs Kathy Oppenheimer, Carol Shelton and Jodi Scherba.

This year, funds will be used for the science lab. Sponsorship funds will support new science projects, including the weather station and labs to help students learn more about electricity, chemistry, the human body, astronomy and more. Otter Run funds also help pay for PTA expenses, such as textbooks, classroom supplies, field trips and assemblies.

Through the years, many families and corporations have sponsored this event. They include Allen Equipment, Atrium Capital, Gunderson Dettmer LLP, Samuel Sinnot & Co. Inc. Architecture, and Sand Hill Advisors. A new group of corporate sponsors are featured in the run fliers.

Committee members said they also thank Steve Widdecombe, who for many years has helped make sure the Otter Run has the coolest "run" T-shirt in town.

Ms. Oppenheimer suggests that when participants cross the finish line they thank the volunteers, past and present. They include Lee Gregg, CeCi St. Geme, Kim Glenn, Ingrid Smith, Carrie Petersen, Terri Straube, Helen Pyne, Edie Barry, Kim Young, Amy Boyle and many others.

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