Santa Ana Park Fundraiser Gets a Lot of Feet in Squeaking Mode

Santa Ana hopes to make it into Guinness World Records by recruiting 982 people to run two miles Sunday while wearing Wellington rubber boots.

To ask why is to not understand the spirit of the event -- which is not only to achieve squeaky notoriety but also to raise money for programs at Santiago Park, a secluded jewel amid the city’s urban landscape that has nearly four miles of creek-side paths, lawn bowling and a ball field.

Nearly 300 people have signed up to participate in the run at Santiago Park -- far short of the number needed to beat the record, set in New Zealand two years ago.

But that doesn’t matter to organizers of the event, who have a dual mission. Besides breaking a world record, they are trying to raise money for and awareness of the park’s naturalist program, which draws urban youths to a swath of vegetation and bird life just a few miles from their homes. More than 1,500 students have visited the park on school trips this year.

“We may not break the record, but at least we will do something really good for the community,” said Lindsey Fernandez, owner of Rough-Fit, a Tustin-based outdoor fitness program that involves its clients in community events.

Rough-Fit, which decided on the run because other records seemed too hard to break, is offering awards for the first five male and female finishers. There will also be awards for best costume, best centipede costume (six people running as one), most outrageous individual costume and most outrageous centipede costume.

Everyone must wear Wellington-brand rubber boots to participate, whether they be fashion versions with funky prints or the garden-green variety.

Participants can get boot discounts from Orchard Supply Hardware in Santa Ana and Rainwear Imports in Irvine. The boots cost roughly $13, with the discount. Registration is $30, and the race starts at 8 a.m.

Information: (714) 832-8590 or www.roughfit.com.

Rough-Fit initially was asked to organize a boot race by fundraisers for the Santa Ana Zoo, said city recreation director Gerardo Moet.

But after planners realized it would be difficult to stage the race at the zoo, Moet suggested that it move to Santiago Park and that the proceeds go to the park.

Patrick Mitchell, the city’s naturalist, calls the event a coming-out party for the low-profile park.

Annually, about 6,000 nonnative plants are replaced with native ones, providing a habitat for such creatures as Pacific tree frogs. The city also is planning to build a natural history museum in the park, thanks in part to a $775,000 state grant.

But the park still needs to raise money for furniture and program materials, Mitchell said.

Thus the idea for the squeaky fundraiser, which organizers hope will become an annual event.

“Most inner-city children don’t have a chance to experience nature,” Moet said. “They can’t go to Yosemite. Santiago is Santa Ana’s Yosemite.”