As City to the Sea approaches, race directors think big picture at Cuesta College
Jani Johnson and Brian Locher share an exciting vision as they sit together inside an equipment room near the Cuesta College track on a gorgeous mid-August afternoon.
There’s a wealth of local knowledge between the two, with Johnson serving as the Cougars’ track and field and cross country coach for nearly a decade before handing the reins to Locher in 2010.
Together they’ve made a serious push to improve and develop the track and field facilities at Cuesta while navigating an extremely tight community college athletics budget.
Since Johnson’s first year on staff in 2002, Cuesta has installed a new discus and hammer cage, brought electrical power to the facility, built timing and storage sheds, purchased hurdles, high jump and pole vault pits, and recently completed a $60,000 renovation of the triple and long jump pits. None of it would be possible without the annual City to the Sea half marathon and 5K fundraising event.
“There’s a lot of races around and there’s a lot of races you can do for a lot of different causes, but I think that this one really hits home,” said Locher, who took over for Johnson as race director six years ago. “Every cent of that money is going to come back to Cuesta College athletes. It’s not like a lot of other races where a percentage is going back.”
When Running Warehouse founder Joe Rubio and local businessman Dale Anderson held the first City to the Sea event in 1995, the initial proceeds were put toward the development of the Fairbanks Cross Country Course on Cuesta’s property.
In the two decades since that inaugural race, Locher estimates more than 50 percent of the facilities and equipment used by the track and field and cross country teams has been funded by City to the Sea.
Having the reputation of USATF certified event with world-class views, City to the Sea has sold out multiple times with 2,500 participants. On a good year, Locher said, Cuesta will make a $60,000 profit after all expenses are accounted for.
This year’s event will be held Oct. 9, with the point-to-point course starting in downtown San Luis Obispo, winding through scenic back roads and ending alongside the Pacific Ocean in Pismo Beach. There will be a half marathon, 5K and a Kids Fun Run, with proceeds from the fun run going directly to the Special Olympics.
“I just think it’s awesome, the community involvement and how much this helps Cuesta athletics and now Special Olympics,” Johnson said. “You can’t get any more of a worthy cause than that. I’m really proud of what we do.”
About 250 volunteers are needed to help with race-day operations, and Locher said Cuesta student-athletes make up the majority of that force. The event certainly has the support of other head coaches because the entire athletic department will receive a percentage of the revenue brought in by City to the Sea.
A partnership with All Out Events has taken some of the stress off Locher and Johnson when it comes to putting out signage ahead of the event and coordinating with San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach regarding race permits.
Earlier this month, Locher said about 900 people had already registered, and he expected that number to at least double over the next month. Competitors can sign up online all the way through race day at www.citytothesea.org.
“We generate revenue for San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach,” Locher said. “We’re getting hotel stays in those areas; we’re getting vendors from those areas. I think we’re a community event, and that’s why we continue to see so many people that continue to come back.”
Locher said the next major facility upgrade at Cuesta will be installing grandstands, an estimated $300,000 undertaking. He hopes that could be completed in the next few years, with lighting to follow at some point in the future.
In the short term, Locher wants to establish Fairbanks Cross Country Course as a reliable venue for some of the larger community college meets in California.
“For me, the dream is to be able host the state championships or the SoCals,” Locher said. “That actually may come to fruition. … This money will end up going to that.”
It’s all part of their vision.
How to get started: Training tips with Brian Locher
Brian Locher is a lifelong runner who competed for the track and cross country teams at Cal Poly, earned his M.S. in exercise physiology and is a faculty member in the Kinesiology Department at Cuesta College.
Base Training: If you aren't running at all, your goal in the next few weeks is to get some base training runs, three to five days per week. Your base runs should be between four and six miles per day. Spread your days out with some cross training in between.
Cross training: Could include biking, swimming, strength training, hiking, yoga or pilates.
Long Run: Start your weekly long run with a distance that is just slightly longer than your base run. Each week, try to increase your long run, but by no more than 10 percent more than the previous week. Go for distance, not for speed. As a novice, it is perfectly OK to walk/run as you increase your mileage. Do your last long run two weeks before the race.
Hydration and nutrition: The more mileage you run, the more essential your hydration and nutrition becomes. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, which contain a lot of water and essential vitamins and minerals. Also, make sure you are taking in an adequate amount of calories, including a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. Eat several small meals throughout the day, to keep your metabolism stoked and your blood sugar stable.
Stretching: The more you run, the more you should work on your flexibility to avoid injury and help your body recover from training. Do a few minutes of dynamic, large range of motion exercises before you run to warm up your muscles, increase your circulation and heart rate, as well as get your body ready to move! After exercise, now is the time to do a few minutes of static stretching, to lengthen and cool down your muscles.
Shoes: Make sure you are wearing a good, comfortable pair of running shoes that are relatively new (not too many miles on them). Our title sponsor, Running Warehouse, is a great place to get knowledgeable advice on what type of shoe will best suit your training and your feet.
This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 7:35 PM with the headline "As City to the Sea approaches, race directors think big picture at Cuesta College."