Editor's note: The Ticket section is all about arts and entertainment. So, this year, we decided to have a little fun with the participants of the 13th annual Race for the Arts.

The event takes to the streets Aug. 27, but we have jumped the gun on the fun with a look at some runners and the shoes that will take them to the finish.

In the spirit of Ticket and Race for the Arts, you'll learn a little about each organization and receive one suggestion from the runner about a "don't miss" event on their group's calendar. This week, we're featuring runners from local dance organizations that will benefit from Race for the Arts.

Sarah Orozco, 20 Company member, Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet

Orozco has studied with Pamela Hayes for about eight years, taking two years off at the end of her high school career at Mira Loma High – "a huge mistake," she now says. Now a student at American River College, Orozco is taking a break from school to focus on her dance career – a step that she hopes will get her into a professional dance company. She also enjoys running, a sport that isn't always kind to a ballerina's body. Orozco, a former student athlete who began her ballet studies at age 12, drew on pledges from her Natomas neighbors to bring in close to $200 for Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet. Orozco danced in nearly every scene of a lavish production of "Coppelia" a few weeks ago in Folsom.

Last year: Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet, with studios in Sacramento and El Dorado Hills, raised about $500 and used the money to refurbish some costumes.

This year: The company's goal is $1,000 to create gorgeous new snow scene costumes for the upcoming "Nutcracker" performance.

The action at their race booth: Video snippets of this company of young dancers in performance.

Don't miss: Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 18 at the Three Stages at Folsom Lake, 10 College Parkway, Folsom. Tickets are $18-$26. Information: www.danceballet.com, www.threestages.net

Ron Cunningham, 71 Artistic director, Sacramento Ballet

A resident of Land Park, this choreographer won't have far to go to get to the starting line. He has created more than 60 ballets, in addition to setting this ballet's artistic direction with his wife, Carinne Binda. Cunningham is the first to admit that he's not much of a runner, but this year, he'll do a "walk-y run" to help the Sacramento Ballet raise money to help defray the costs of "Nutcracker" costumes. He's been asking the ballet's board of directors, performers and members of what he calls his "Nutcracker family" – 500 children and their parents – to come out and join him on race day. Cunningham is even thinking of wearing some pieces of the Drosselmeyer costume from the "Nutcracker" – maybe the eye patch, but not the heavy wool cape. Too hot, he says, for an August day.

Last year: The Sacramento Ballet raised $3,500 at Race for the Arts, with the money benefiting scholarships for students in need at the Sacramento Ballet's school.

This year: The company hopes to raise $5,000 for "Nutcracker" ballet costumes.

The action at the race booth: See, touch and feel ballet costumes and enter for a chance to win tickets to an upcoming performance.

Don't miss: Ron Cunningham's spooky production of "Dracula" takes the Community Center Stage at 13th and L streets in Sacramento Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 27-28. Tickets are $17-$68. Information: www.sacballet.org

Hannah Silva, 16 Dancer, Ballet Folsom

The Granite Bay resident is a newcomer to Race for the Arts. Last year, her dad Ken Silva, a 53-year-old chief financial officer for a local company, ran to help raise money for STAGES-Folsom Dance Arts. The organization runs Ballet Folsom and two other youth dance groups, Sound Out Tap Company and iMPACT Contemporary Dance. All told, STAGES has 68 dancers ranging in age from 8-18. Silva's been dancing since she was 9 and says the 15 girls who make up Ballet Folsom provide "a great support system." A junior at St. Francis High School, Silva has tutored at Hawkins School of Performing Arts in Folsom and hopes to start a program at the school for underprivileged dancers this fall. One of her most recent roles was as a princess in Folsom Ballet's performance of "The Firebird."

Last year: STAGES-Folsom Dance Arts raised $5,000, with the money used for production expenses, including costumes, sets, venue rental and marketing.

This year: STAGES hopes to beat last year's total and raise $6,000, with money going to help pay for the performances put on by each of STAGES' member companies in the upcoming year.

The action at the race: STAGES runners – as many as 50 of them – will be in costume, so watch for tutus and other theatrical touches.

Don't miss: "Rhythms of Christmas: All Through the Land," a joint performance by all three STAGES dance companies, Dec. 9-11 at the Jill Solberg Performing Arts Theatre at Folsom High School, 1655 Iron Point Drive, Folsom.

Tickets are $18 general, $15 for students and seniors and $10 for children. Information: (916) 355-8080, www.stages-performingarts.org

RACE FOR THE ARTS

What: For the 13th year, Sacramento- area residents of every age can support a local arts group by signing up – and by raising pledges if they wish – in this event. Adults can run the 5K or walk it with friends. There's also a fun run for kids. More than 100 organizations have benefited in the past. The race raised about $75,000 in total last year. Don't want to run? Cheer on the runners, pledge money to an arts group or check out more than 42 interactive booths.

Where: William Land Park (Start: 15th Avenue and Land Park Drive)

When: Adult race begins at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 27. The kids get started at 9:30 a.m.

Register: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Fleet Feet Sports, 2311 J St. in Sacramento, or 7 a.m. at the race (The entry form is available at Fleet Feet, Raley's, Bel Air, California Family Fitness Centers, Hobrecht Lighting and online at www.raceforthearts.com.)

Entry fees: $30 for adults, $17 for children under 12. (There is a service fee if registering online. Teams of 10 or more receive a 20 percent discount.)

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