The
Apple Hill Harvest Run (AHHR) began in 1979
as a way to prolong the "tourist season" in Apple Hill and has developed
into a treasured community tradition.
Pete
and Joanne Schoener asked the Apple Hill Growers Association if they
would sponsor and promote a foot race in the area. The growers
wanted to promote the area and a healthy activity as well as encourage
a fun family outing.
Pete
designed a course that began and ended at Abel's Apple Acres.
Joanne and Pete felt that runners and their families would enjoy the
beautiful setting and, with the help of all of the growers, that word
would spread about this enjoyable run. They were right!
The
early races were very low tech. The Schoeners depended on their
running friends and inexperienced grower-volunteers to help on race
day. There were no fancy timing devices -- just good old stopwatches.
Runners did not wear bibs; instead they were given wooden tongue depressors
with handwritten numbers on them.
The
first year the organizers were expecting a turnout of about 500 people.
They were overwhelmed by almost double that amount!
By
1981 the Schoeners decided that they did not have the time to continue
organizing the race. In 1982 the Apple Hill Growers Association
felt confident enough to take over management of the event.
The
growers realized that they had success in their hands. They
hired a timing company for the finish line and opted to retire the
tongue depressors in favor of bibs.
From
1982 to 1987, Maryann Argyres, an Apple Hill grower herself (Argyres
Acres), single-handedly organized the run. She only received
much-needed assistance on the day of the run because most growers
were so busy with their ranches.
An
article in the Sacramento Bee stated that the AHHR was one of the
top five races in Northern California during the time!
Maryann
recalls one kids' run during which Edio Delfino, owner of Kid's Inc.,
had borrowed a starting pistol to start off the huge group.
The pistol had not been tested ahead of time. The first few
rows of young runners were stunned and momentarily frozen by the resounding
boom. Speaking of stunned, Ed's ears rang for days afterward!
In
spite of the fun involved (a couple even got married at the start
of the run one year!), the AHHR was becoming overwhelming to administer.
The
growers asked Snowline Hospice to take over the organization of the
AHHR, with proceeds benefiting hospice support and activities.
Sometime
between 1988 to 1995 the AHHR moved to the Larsen Apple Barn and the
course changed.
In
1996 the torch was passed to Camino School. The Apple Hill tradition
of a relaxed family foot race on the first Sunday in November, rain
or shine, continues today.
Parent
volunteers now organize the run as a benefit for Camino School and
are supported by an average of 200 volunteers who step up to offer
much needed help.
The
AHHR has been a boon for the small school.
Past
proceeds from the AHHR have gone toward providing computers in each
of the K-8 classrooms, the addition of middle school classrooms, a
new gymnasium, and a lovely amphitheater, new playground equipment
and visual & performing arts equipment.
In
keeping with the spirit of education, the Apple Hill Growers Association
uses their percentage of the proceeds to fund two educational scholarships
for local students.
Now
entering its 31st year, the Apple Hill Harvest Run starts and finishes
at the beautiful ParaVi Winery (formerly
Primus Vineyards). Attracting more than 2,000 participants
each year, the AHHR is one of the most popular and beloved run/walks
in Northern California.
We
invite you to come take a bite out of Apple Hill!
