Schools Are True Winners in Race

Laguna Beach schools have discovered the real power of running.

The Laguna Beach Classic, a 1K, 5K and 10K run April 27, is a benefit for local schools. The 15th annual event, which will start at the Sawdust Festival grounds on Laguna Canyon Road, is one of four major events presented each year by SchoolPower, a nonprofit group set up in the early 1980s to raise money for Laguna Beach education.

SchoolPower was started after California voters passed Proposition 13, the property tax initiative that sent some cities scrambling for funds.

Jon Jenett, president of SchoolPower, said the agency has raised more than $3 million for Laguna Beach schools in the ensuing years. SchoolPower raised $600,000 last year through its programs, Jenett said.

“This is the [event] the volunteers enjoy the most,” he said of the run. “The kids can come and run and know they are helping the schools.”

A new wrinkle this year is a 10K trail run, which will send runners into the hills around Laguna. The trail run starts at 7:35 a.m., with the 5K at 7:45, the 10K run at 8:20 and the 1K at 9:20. About 3,000 runners are expected.

Cost is $20 for all races other than the 1K, which costs $16. For more information, call (714) 494-6811.

UPCOMING

* Seal Beach 10K/5K Run, 5K Walk and 1K Fun Run: Saturday at the Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Drive. All races start at 8 a.m. Cost to enter any of the races is $18. For more information, call (562) 431-2527.

* Zot Trot 5K and 1K: Saturday at UC Irvine. The sixth annual event is part of the university’s annual daylong open house. Courses for both races take a loop around the campus. Proceeds benefit UCI Alumni Assn. Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship fund and UCI athletics. Cost is $22 for the 5K, $14 for the 1K. Race-day registration starts at 6 a.m., with the 5K starting at 7:30 and the 1K at 8:30. For more information, call (714) 476-7076.

* Southern California Hillsea: May 10, Central Park West in Huntington Beach. A 7.57-mile race with a staggered start for men and women depending on competitor’s age. Cost is $16, includes T-shirt. For more information, call (714) 841-5417.

The Orange County Running Notebook appears regularly in the Times Orange County Edition. Information on upcoming events should be faxed to (714) 966-5663 or e-mail keith.thursby@latimes.com