‘Thankful to be together again.’ More than 26,000 come out for Run to Feed the Hungry

A beloved Sacramento tradition came roaring back Thanksgiving morning.

About 26,600 walkers and runners participated in the 28th annual Run to Feed the Hungry, according to event organizers. The event, which was “virtual” last year due to the lockdown, raised more than $900,000 for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Thousands of people began streaming through the Sacramento State campus around 7:30 a.m. Thursday on their way to the J Street start line. It was sunny and clear, with temperatures in the 40s.

For safety, organizers set rolling start times. The serious competitors began the 10K at 8:15 a.m. or the 5K at 9 a.m. Everyone else moseyed down J Street at leisure.

“I’m thankful that we can just be together again,” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg told the crowd before the start of the race. “Twenty-six thousand people coming out, coming out of a hard time, sharing with each other, enjoying community.”

A few minutes before the 5K started, “Another One Bites The Dust” played over the loudspeakers. Several people could be seen bouncing on their heels or busting a few quick moves to warm up. A group of people threw their hands in the air, trying to get the crowd to start a wave, with limited success.

“The goal,” said Sacramento resident Steven Kloose, standing near a large, inflatable turkey that wore a pilgrim hat, “is to not come in last.”

Kloose planned to walk the 5K, then “go home and shower and relax and then start cooking.”

Marcus Vasquez brought his young daughter Victoria to the event. For both of them, it was their first Run to Feed the Hungry. “It’s nice to be around a bunch of people again, after the whole COVID thing,” he said.

Antelope resident Mark MaKieve and Sacramento resident Kristen Swank stood in line waiting to get their picture taken in front of the inflatable turkey. It was MaKieve’s fourth Run to Feed the Hungry, and Swank’s second.

“So I run about 2 miles a couple of times a week,” MaKieve said. “She doesn’t run at all,” he added, nodding toward Swank.

“I’m supporting him,” Swank said, smiling. “Quality time.”

Elk Grove resident Kimberly Lewis came to the run with her fitness group. She said she planned to “walk-slash-jog.”

“I just heard that it’s a good event to feed the hungry,” she said. “Everyone is making donations. I made a $50 donation. I wanted to be a part of something positive.”

It was Kadence Sky Walker’s sixth Run to Feed the Hungry. He attends San Jose State but was back in town visiting his family for Thanksgiving. “I think it is just a good habit to have,” he said. “I really enjoy the environment, and I love the cause.”

Proceeds from the event make up a significant portion of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ budget. The food bank feeds 250,000 people each month.

Demand was high at the food bank during lockdown, even as the food bank’s biggest fundraiser temporarily became an online-only event.

“We were fortunate because the community supported us throughout the pandemic,” said Blake Young, the food bank’s president and chief executive officer.

Davis resident Nathan Kwan was the fastest runner in the 10K event with a time of 29:34, or 4:46 per mile. Folsom resident Sarah Anderson was the top female runner with a time of 35:36.

Folsom resident Matt Strangio was the fastest runner in the 5K event with a time of 14:12, or 4:34 per mile. Sacramento resident Danielle Domenichelli was the top female runner with a time of 16:41.

This story was originally published November 25, 2021 at 1:34 PM.