The 41st Annual Mission Inn Run will be honoring veterans and military on November 10 and 11 in downtown Riverside. The signature event benefits the Mission Inn Foundation and Museum, an independent nonprofit that preserves and interprets the history of the Mission Inn, Riverside, and southern California.
"This year's event will offer a number of "firsts," says Danielle Trynoski, the Foundation's Director of Marketing and Development who also acts as the event coordinator. "We're looking forward to an Award Ceremony at 10:30 followed by a newly developed Veterans Recognition Ceremony at 10:45 on Sunday, November 11."
Prize drawings at the finish line, a special entry category for veterans and military runners, and a beer garden will also be new features of this year's Mission Inn Run. Great music and a live radio broadcast from presenting sponsor 99.1KGGI and IHeart Media will keep the energy high on Main Street. The event spans two full days of activities, opening on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 with registration and packet pick-up amidst the Clark's Nutrition Health Fair & Fitness Expo hosting over 65 vendors. Sunday morning kicks off at 5:45 a.m. with the return of the Health Fair & Fitness Expo, the Grove Kids' Fitness Festival, the Wicks Brewing Co. Beer Garden, and all races. There's a distance for everyone with a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K, and 1/2K offered.
All proceeds from the Mission Inn Run support the Mission Inn Foundation and Museum. The Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers free rotating exhibitions with a suggested donation of $2. Free educational programs are offered on a regular basis, including free 30-minute tours, First Sundays, lectures, and panel discussions. Outreach programs, including Youth Ambassadors and the award-winning Hands On History, reach children across five school districts.
"People are surprised to discover that the Mission Inn Museum, a history museum, produces the Mission Inn Run. We don't just want to talk about Riverside's past, but we want to help develop its present. That includes contributing to a healthy, well-rounded community," says Trynoski. "Riverside residents look forward to this event every year, and enjoy running with their friends, family, children and grandchildren. We hope that we can offer something for everyone in the surrounding community, whether it's at the Run or Museum."
Interested participants can sign up online at www.missioninnmuseum.org or in person at the Mission Inn Museum at 3696 Main Street.