17TH ANNUAL
RUN TO THE FAR SIDE®
5K RUN OR WALK, 10K RUN
SUNDAY, November 25, 2001 * 8:30 a.m. START

SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2001)-Fitness and fun are the keywords for the 17th Annual Run to the Far Side Sunday, November 25. Fitness seekers will have their choice of a 5K or 10K course while ample fun will simply be unavoidable throughout the day. This tribute to the eccentric cartoon creations of Gary Larson is expected to attract more than 14,000 runners and Far Side comic fans to Golden Gate Park for a San Francisco Thanksgiving weekend tradition.

Run to the Far Side is the only race in which eels and sharks, cows and cavemen, dinosaurs and pumas, snakes and squid, chickens and other Far Side inspired creations compete side-by-side with serious athletes. Costumes honoring Larson characters are a race tradition in the 5K, with a costume contest following the race (first place wins $500 and Far Side memorabilia, and cash and prizes for second through tenth place will also be awarded). Those more interested in slimming their waistline from the recent Thanksgiving dinner feast are invited to join in the 10K run. All participants receive a special Run to the Far Side T-shirt featuring a Gary Larson cartoon. Proceeds from the event support the California Academy of Sciences' environmental education and research programs.

The run begins at 8:30 a.m. on JFK Drive around the corner from the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, and heads out along the "Panhandle" (a narrow extension of the park) for 2.5 miles. Returning to the park, the 10K splits with an uphill loop and the 5K continues straight.
All runners finish in front of the Academy of Sciences, where post-race refreshments, entertainment and festivities are scheduled in the Music Concourse. On-stage highlights at the bandshell include the final Far Side costume judging and live music.

Public transportation, carpooling and bicycle riding are strongly encouraged. Some roads entering and surrounding Golden Gate Park will be closed at 8 a.m. to accommodate runners and traffic.
Registration fees postmarked by November 16 are $18 for members of the Academy of Sciences and $23 for nonmembers or $30 for all on race morning. Entry or membership information is available, please write to: RhodyCo Productions, 1417 Irving St., San Francisco, CA 94122, call the RhodyCo race hotline at (415) 759-2690, or visit the official Run to the Far Side web site at www.calacademy.org.


[The California Academy of Sciences, Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and the Academy's logo are registered trademarks of the California Academy of Sciences.]

# # # #