10K Spooky Sprint to Benefit Jeopardy

Anyone in Woodley Park early Saturday may think Halloween has come a week early.

Runners, some clad in costumes, will circle Lake Balboa in an effort to raise money for, and awareness of, the LAPD’s Jeopardy Program.

Organizers of the 10K Spooky Sprint hope the inaugural event will become the chief annual fund-raiser for Jeopardy, which aims to give young people alternatives to gang activity or dropping out of school. The Van Nuys-based program offers after-school tutoring, sports, job training and gang-awareness seminars to children 8 to 18.

“Dinners or other fund-raising events are usually $50 or more and they’re not always accessible to everyone,” event spokeswoman Judi Rose said. “We’re hoping to reach a wider range of people who want to help.”

Many Jeopardy participants have volunteered to hand out water and snacks or distribute literature during the run.

Rose said the event’s occurrence just before Halloween lends an especially festive air.

“It gives it a little more spark,” she said. “We’re encouraging everyone to come in costume. A lot of the volunteers will be. Obviously it would be hard to run in a rented monkey suit, but we hope that the runners can paint their face or wear a hat.”

Registration for the run, which costs $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at the Phidippides Sports Center store, 16545 Ventura Blvd. Late registration also will be permitted before the 8 a.m. race.

For more information on Jeopardy, call (818) 756-9802. For more Spooky Sprint details, call (310) 828-4123.