Oktoberfest in Baywood

Sunday, October 29th was the 44th annual Oktoberfest event that took place in Baywood-Los Osos. At 9:00 there was a four mile race and soon after a classic car show with many stands selling various things from local businesses. 

Morro Bay High School’s Cross Country team has been hosting the race for a while since Ms. Frere was running on the team, although in recent years the team has not been doing so. Recently Ms. Frere arranged our team to host the event this year. Runners of this event paid $30 to run and also get a pair of socks and a cup. After the race there were multiple people who got first picks on a set of prizes ranging from gift cards to local businesses, t-shirts, and even gift baskets, based on age and time. For example, the fastest person in their 40s or oldest participant. As the hosts, our team obtained 70% of the funds raised. This money will be used to fund bus rides, register athletes into meets, provide snacks during meets, etc. All in all, the team raised approximately $2,700 in funds from the event.

The 4 mile run is mostly flat with a few shallow hills. There is a turnaround point at the 2 mile mark where Pecho Rd intersects with Los Osos Valley Road. Here was where I helped in the race; handing out water to runners. I was joined by Aidan Elmendorf, Sam Ellis, Cameron D’Aunoy, Nathan Fuller, Maddox Miner, Shelby Taylor, and more people outside of cross country. The starting point of the race, at 2nd St, was where the rest of the team was, helping with registration, selling apparel, and gathering bibs to track times. 

The community has also given positive feedback on MBHS hosting this year. I have seen one such instance where a runner insisted on paying to get a cup after racing despite us saying it was free. Other people have witnessed similar events where people just want to donate to support us, which is amazing.