Community members participated in 5k and 10k runs around the Baylands Natural Reserve and Byxbee Park in Palo Alto on Friday night. Hosted by the Palo Alto Weekly, the 42nd Moonlight Run & Walk fundraised for local nonprofits that support children and families.
“We’re happy that it’s more than just a regular fund drive. It’s actually like a party in the Baylands,” Palo Alto Weekly editor and volunteer Gennady Sheyner said. “I feel like seeing a lot of the community and running under the full moon is a very unique experience. People don’t usually get a guided race at night in the Baylands.”
Before the official race, hundreds of families and friends mingled on the nearby baseball field. All kinds of groups, from sporty elderly couples to eager teenagers, showed up with positive energy, with many wearing neon light sticks.
Under the floodlights, kids played pickup frisbee and scaled a towering pop-up climbing wall as upbeat music played. At the same time, others enjoyed a bite to eat from food trucks serving Oaxacan dishes, fish and chips, and brownies.
At various booths and small tents, local organizations encouraged people to volunteer and donate. The nonprofits included Ecumenical Hunger Program, Green Envelope Fund, Learning Home Volunteers, and the Palo Alto Weekly.
To further support nearby nonprofits, the money fundraised from the event will be aggregated into a holiday fund and then distributed to organizations this upcoming winter.
Emily Morton, an events specialist at Embarcadero Media, the parent organization of the Palo Alto Weekly reflected on the importance of bringing organizations to the event. “It really helps because we get to educate a lot of our community on the various nonprofits while also supporting them so they can continue to do the work that they do,” Morton said.
“I think that nonprofits add a lot of color to a community,” a participant said. “They make a community feel like a community, as opposed to just businesses.”
Beneath the full moon, the runners lined up. Their anticipation grew as the track announcer counted down. As the horn blared, the racers took off.
After the runners completed their distances, they enjoyed refreshments from food trucks, as well as complimentary cake and oranges. Many reflected on the value of coming together to support local organizations.
“I feel like I’m giving money to a good cause. I don’t feel like I’m just paying to race,” participant Cheri Leonard said.
