RIPON — The Fifth Annual Rina’s Run in memory of the late Rina Brocchini starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. It is dedicated to rebuilding the Ripon High School football stadium.

Groundbreaking is this summer on a new track and field.

Stephanie Hobbs has continually been the energizing force in the community to see the dreams for a new athletic field come to fruition along with the Brocchini family’s support.

Hobbs announced Wednesday that $40,000 had already been collected from 37 sponsors and runners this year toward this summer’s demolition and construction of the infield and installation of the scoreboard – an in-kind contribution by PG&E.

“We have enough to get the field and scoreboard in,” she said.  A requirement to install a French drain at one end of the field was an unexpected cost that set the committee back $45,000, Hobbs added.

She said she is hoping to find a sponsor willing to donate irrigation supplies to the project as well as someone with landscaping expertise they are willing to share.  The completion of the upgraded athletic field will take years, she explained, with an actual need for $1.5 million in funds to see final completion of the plans.

Registration for the run opens at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning at Ripon High School, 301 North Acacia Avenue. Some 400 runners and walkers are expected to compete from all over the north state.

Runners will be hosted to a pancake breakfast by the Ripon Rotary Club as part of their registration fee.  It will be held in the Ripon High Multi-Purpose Room.  Runners will also receive a commemorative T-shirt and post race refreshment and awards.

Those 17 and under are being charged $25 and adults 18 and above are $30 for pre-registration.  The fees on race day are a flat $35.  High school students from Ripon High and Ripon Christian will pay a reduced fee of $10 to enter their event.  The charge for a four-man-relay has been set at $100.

The 5K run is open to both runners and walkers while the 10K is runners only.  Strollers are welcome however bikes, dogs and skateboards are prohibited.

The divisions of participants are broken down: 12 and under, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and up and the four-man relay.

In addition to medals for the winners, the fastest 10K winner will receive $100 as will the winner of the 5K, 12 and under winners will receive $50.  The Shadow Chase Running Club of Modesto is filling the role of the run timers.

Major sponsors include The Ripon Soroptimist Club, DeGraff Construction, McManis Family Vineyards, Vernon Transportation Company, The Ripon Rotary Club and DiBuduo DeFendis Insurance.   

Those wishing to pre-register may do so online at www.rcasite.com and download an entry form.