Run in the Name of Love ©Tom Gibson
‘Summer of Love\‘ Reaches Running Community Run in the Name of Love, June 18, 2017 coincides with Summer of Love festivities in Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area
As the 50th anniversary celebration of the Summer of Love takes hold in San Francisco to the north, Monterey will be recreating a version of its famed Monterey Pop Festival, and neighboring Carmel-by-the-Sea will be the site for the annual Run in the Name of Love 5K and 2K running and walking events on Sunday, June 18, sharing the weekend with the Monterey Pop Festival.
Now in its seventh year, Run in the Name of Love encourages its participants to run or walk in honor or memory of someone special in their lives. Like the pop festival of 1967, the modern-day running event is a peaceful gathering of people sharing a common bond. Nearly 1,000 people are expected to take part in the 5K run/walk and the dog-friendly 2K.
The 5K course winds through residential Carmel-by-the-Sea, passing the historic Carmel Mission before reaching the scenic ocean views present throughout the rest of the 3.1 mile route. The 2K follows a shortened course and both meet up at a finish celebration overlooking the white sands of Carmel Beach.
Taking place on Father's Day, the event encourages families to take part and offers special Father-Daughter, Father-Son divisions. Dogs are welcome in the 2K and receive a free dog bandana to complement the free race shirt given to all participants.
"This is a very meaningful event for so many," said Susan Love, director of the Carmel race that bears her name and the name of her late son for whom the race was founded. "It's an opportunity for people to remember or honor someone special in their lives," she said. "Our region is memorializing the Summer of Love, but this event is here and now, offering a chance to tangibly show love to others."
Registration is open to all interested at www.runinthenameoflove.org. Prices are $40 for the 5K and $35 for the 2K (or $25 and $20 for participants under 15 years).
All runners receive a complimentary shirt, finishers' medallion, post-race food, a free raffle ticket, and awards presentation.
Julie Armstrong