Running is the pits for firefighters’ supporters

A giant pit used for mining will make a unique running course for Chula Vistans on Nov. 2, when Vulcan Materials, a national construction materials company, hosts their annual Quarry Crusher Run to benefit the Chula Vista Firefighter’s Foundation.

There are two options for the run: a “single crusher” course totalling about 3.5 miles or a “double crusher” course where participants will run about six miles when they take on the course twice.

Both races are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

It costs $40 to $50 to participate in the run. All runners will receive a t-shirt and a finisher’s medal. Community and Government Relations Coordinator Abby Sanderson said Vulcan expects about 500 people to run the course.

“I really look forward to hearing peoples’ experience on the race course because it is so unique and challenging. I like hearing their perspective on doing something that’s outside of the normal race,” Sanderson said.

Since 2017, Vulcan Materials has raised more than $100,000 for the CVFF, according to Vulcan Materials Manager of Government and Community Affairs Barbara Goodrich-Welk.

“We chose the Chula Vista Firefighter’s Foundation because we wanted to keep our community partner a local organization that would help directly benefit the citizens of Chula Vista,” Goodrich-Welk said. “We wanted to make sure we could make an impact locally where our mining facility is located.”

The CVFF is volunteer based and focuses on disaster relief, humanitarian aid, bringing awareness to fire and safety issues and ultimately improving the quality of life for people in the South Bay, according to CVFF President and CVPF Battalion Chief Sean Lowery.

Lowery said the funds raised for the CVFF through the Quarry Crusher Run can go towards a variety of things including annual community events they host, their adopt a family program in partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District, providing disaster relief gift cards directly to families who have lost their homes and donations to local charities.

“It’s an opportunity for our community to come and see the inside of a quarry… the neat feature is that while the partnership is occurring you’re getting to run next to your local firefighters and your local police officers,” Lowery said

Local businesses will also take part in the event, including El Capitan Cocina who will provide breakfast burritos to runners for free.

The deadline to register for the Quarry Crusher Run is the 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Anyone can register at quarrycrusherrun.com/san-diego-registration.