On Sunday, October 30, 320 runners of all ages and abilities ran through the beautiful, lush backwoods property of Pacific Union College for the annual Angwin to Angwish trail run.
The event featured a half marathon and 10k race, as well as a 4k family run, taking place on smooth to medium-rough trails and service roads with double and single track. The half marathon and 10k race included an intense climb over the infamous “Angwish Hill,” from which the race obtains its name. Over 100 volunteers helped make the race possible, most of which were PUC students. The funds raised from Angwin to Angwish support PUC’s community outreach and mission work that helps make a difference to countless others within Napa County and around the world.
“Angwin to Angwish always shows the best of PUC—the great land there, the bright and engaged students, the committed staff. But this year we showed even more, presenting a great race in the middle of campus on an unusually rainy day. Runners came from all over the West to run and weren’t disappointed. Along the way, we raised money to support the education, missions, and public service that set the college apart and had a blast doing it,” said Adam Ray, founder and CEO of Scena Media, who also served as race director for the first time this year.
Following the race, booths featuring donors and partners for race participants and other guests to peruse dotted the finish line, along with a hospitality area, featuring MIV Insurance, the Napa Land Trust, and the Napa Running Company. Food was donated by Sunshine Foods, Villa Corona, Safeway, and Pizzeria Tra Vigne. Other local donors included St. Helena Hospital, Wells Fargo, Clif Family, Health Club Napa Valley, and Pacific Landscapes.
Separately, in a partnership with PUC’s business club and alumni office, a new scholarship program called Leave Your Mark was launched. The scholarship was created in remembrance of Kevin Canavan, a senior business major at PUC who passed away in July while working as a summer camp employee in Wawona, Calif. The scholarship aims to help selected students with part of their tuition fee. Fundraising began the day of the race, and already $500 has been raised.
“Thank you to the many runners and volunteers who braved the heavy rain and came out to help for the Angwin to Angwish race,” said Walter Collins, vice president for advancement and alumni relations. “Thanks to you, we had another successful race, and your support empowers PUC to teach our students how to serve their own communities.”
For more information about Angwin to Angwish, contact alumni@puc.edu or (707) 965-7500. If you are interested in donating to the Leave Your Mark scholarship, please visit their CrowdRise website.