Thomas Hathaway is being honored as Pride of the Palisades for his efforts for organizing the 4th of July 5/10K.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
People who run in the Pacific Palisades 4th of July Will Rogers 5/10K, may not realize that the race is put on by mostly volunteers, including Thomas Hathaway.
For his years of volunteering, measuring the course and working with the race and the Race Foundation, Hathaway is being recognized by the Pacific Palisades Community Council as a Pride of the Palisades.
The award is not given every year, but the PPCC felt that Hathaway was well deserving after the amount of time he volunteers annually and has for the past 13 years.
Unfortunately, he will not be at the PPCC ceremony on December 12, because he’s sailing on a five-man boat between the Caribbean and the Canary Islands and his arrival back to the Pacific Palisades will depend on the Trade Winds. His wife Dalena, who for many years headed the Kids Fun Run, will accept the award for him.
The Fourth of July run started in 1978 by locals, who were members of the Ridge Runners. In 2014, the late Lynn Borland wrote in a story that Hathaway was one of many who joined the Ridge Runners in 1980. The Ridge Runners was a group of like-minded exercise enthusiasts, who ran in races, marathons and celebrated each other’s successes.
About his volunteer efforts, Thomas said, “For me, it’s always been a labor of love. I grew up running. I’ve always had an appreciation for the sport. I always appreciated the time people take to excel. I take pride in organizing it.”
As the original founders of the race began to step back, Hathaway stepped up to not only keep the tradition intact, but to streamline several activities. “Once what was managed by a handful of volunteers, and hand-held stopwatches, has grown to require more than a 100 people,” he said.
It was discovered in 2012, that the 5/10K events were not USA Track and Field certified, that both courses were more than 400 feet short. Hathaway led the efforts to ensure they were modified to an accurate distance (10K in 2013; 5K in 2015).
With Jimmy Klein and Mike Solum, the plans for the 4th of July start in late spring, holding meeting with volunteers to make sure everything runs smoothly, including permits, race timing, insurance, finding sponsorships, ordering T-shirts, working on registration, ensuring there is medical support and going over course layout.
Additionally, Hathaway introduced “Patriot Gratitude” advertising banners on the start/finish scaffolds to raise money for the race and provide an opportunity for local businesses to advertise on race day. A super-sized Declaration of Independence was hung on the start scaffold.
Kilometer split markers that carry sponsor-paid logos, were added and a permanent storage container at the local Palisades Park for race supplies was negotiated and implemented.
Hathaway also ensures that residents along the racecourse are notified with door “hang tags,” which go to every resident and show the route and the street closures.
The Palisadian has drawn numerous maps to facilitate communication of racecourses (USATF technical maps), race day layout and set-up at the Park, parking shuttle routes, alphabet street detours, course marshal locations, DOT road closures, sign distribution on race morning.
Even though this is one of the favorite 4th of July Runs in Los Angeles, annually drawing more than 3,000 racers and walkers, “The event still has a very local flavor,” said Thomas, who moved to Pacific Palisades from Rolling Hills in 1973, when he was 17. “But we can only do that as long as we have support from the residents.”
One of the challenges for organizers is finding enough volunteers.
After all race costs are covered, the money goes to The Palisades Will Rogers 5 & 10K Run Foundation, founded in 2014 and now chaired by Hathaway, Klein and Solum. The money is then passed to the Pacific Palisades Optimist Foundation, who works in partnership, to choose various local nonprofit organizations who work with youth. Last year about $35,000 was given to various charities.
“The more we make, the more we can pass on to you guys [Optimists],” Foundation members said at an Optimist meeting. “Although the cost of running the race has gone up in past years, anything extra goes back to the community.”
And going “above and beyond,” Hathaway and Dalena, annually host a pre-Fourth Celebration to go over last-minute race details with numerous volunteers.
The couple have two adult children, Sheridan and Starr, who have also grown up with the race, watching their father give numerous hours of his time to ensure Palisadians can run.
Placing banners from sponsors on the starting line scaffolding was one of Thomas Hathaway’s ideas.
Hello Sue,
Great Article on Thomas Hathaway and the Will Rogers 5K/10K Race.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family.
Chuck