RockWater run to raise water quality awareness

Sign ups are now available for the inaugural RockWater run from Big Bear Lake to Newport Beach.

A brainchild of the Surfrider Foundation Newport Beach Chapter, the race kicks off at midnight following the spring equinox on March 21 and follows the entire distance of the Santa Ana Watershed along its course from the mountains to the sands of Orange County.

The 100-mile relay lets runners choose a distance that is comfortable for them and allows substitutions at any point along the course, organizers said.

Racers are expected to hit the shores of the Pacific Ocean at sunset the following day.

Event organizers hope to raise awareness of water quality along the watershed that begins at the mouth of Big Bear Lake and winds through three counties that are home to more than 4.8 million people before hitting the shores of Newport Beach.

As the river makes its way toward the ocean it picks up pollutants before dumping into the ocean.

To represent all the contaminants that make their way into the ocean, all participating runners will meet up at mile 97 and finish the last three miles as one group.

To sign up for the run, contact Robyn Vettraino at Robyn@surfrider.org or Amber Reedy at amber_r_reedy@yahoo.com. For more information on the group run visit surfridernb.com.

— Kelly Strodl