Empire Runners Club

10/04/2026

Yesterday our Empire Runner cross country teams travelled to Garin Park in Hayward for a hot and hilly 3.1 mile dusty course.

08/18/2026

🏃‍♀️🏃 CROSS COUNTRY SEASON IS HERE!

Nearly 40 Empire Runners are gearing up to represent ERC during the 2026 cross country season — and there’s still room for you.

Never raced cross country before? That’s completely fine. Our program is about participating, having fun, challenging yourself, and being part of a great team.

We have runners from their 20s to 70+ and abilities ranging from recreational runners to experienced racers. If you’ve thought about giving cross country a try but haven’t taken the plunge yet… this is your year.

🌲 First up: The Empire Open
📅 Sunday, August 30
📍 Spring Lake
🟢 FREE for Empire Runners members

And it gets even better: ERC pays the race entry fees for the remaining cross country races on the schedule.

Learn more and join the team:
empirerunners.org/crosscountry

Questions? Lisa & John, our Cross Country Co-Directors, are happy to help:
📧 [email protected]

Time to move. Time to race. Time to join the team.

08/18/2026

🔥 4:16.5 at the San Francisco Mile!

Huge congratulations to Empire Runners member Vincent Friesen, who raced his way to 6th place overall at the San Francisco Mile with a blazing 4:16.5 finish!

An incredible performance against a fast field. Way to represent Empire Runners, Vincent! 👏🏃‍♂️💨

08/17/2026

Every Tuesday. 6 AM. On the track. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Join the Empire Runners every Tuesday morning for our weekly track workout at Santa Rosa Junior College!

Whether you’re training for a race, working on your speed, or just looking for a great group to run with, come join us. Workouts change from week to week, with a structured session planned for each Tuesday.

⏰ Tuesdays at 6:00 AM
📍 Santa Rosa Junior College Track

Check the Training Calendar at EmpireRunners.org to see the workout for the upcoming week.

Come run with us—we’ll see you Tuesday morning!

📸 by Margaret Pedersen

08/16/2026

🏃‍♀️ The 33rd Annual Phil Widener Empire Open is coming to Spring Lake!

Join Empire Runners Club on Sunday, August 30 for 3.4 miles of classic cross country racing—rugged dirt trails, a little pavement, a few short hills, and some wicked competition.

🏆 $1,500 prize purse for PA/USATF members and teams

Race Schedule
• 8:45 AM — Women’s Open
• 9:30 AM — Men’s Masters (40+)
• 10:30 AM — Men’s Open

💚 ERC members race FREE
💵 Non-members: $25

⚠️ Registration closes Thursday, August 27. There is NO race-day registration.

Register today at EmpireRunners.org

Come race one of Sonoma County’s classic cross country events!

08/16/2026

We had a great long run in Trione Annadel State park today. Check into our calendar on the website our next group run is a track workout on Tuesday at 6am at Santa Rosa Junior College. See you soon 📸 by Margaret Pedersen

08/15/2026

🌲 Registration is OPEN for the 40th Annual Annadel Loop Trail Race!

Join Empire Runners on Sunday, November 1 for 6.45 challenging miles through Annadel State Park, including North Burma, Richardson, Lake Ilsanjo, Canyon and plenty of classic Annadel trail.

🏃 Not everyone starts together!
The Annadel Loop uses an age- and gender-based staggered start, with the first wave heading out at 8:00 AM and the final wave at 8:20 AM. Then the chase is on to see who gets to the finish first.

🏆 Custom Annadel hats are awarded to the first 13 finishers across the line. Hats will also be available for purchase.

ONLINE REGISTRATION
🟢 ERC Members: FREE
🟠 Non-Members: $25

⏰ Online registration closes 5 PM Saturday, October 31.
Race-day registration is available for an additional $20.

📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
⏱ First wave: 8:00 AM
📍 Annadel State Park

➡️ Register now at EmpireRunners.org

Think you can make the Top 13?

08/07/2026

🏃‍♂️🏇 RUN THE RACETRACK!

Join Empire Runners on Monday, August 10 for the Palio di Sonoma at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds!

Run or walk the 1-mile racetrack anytime from 3:30–7:00 PM. Go for the Marathon Challenge and see how many laps you can complete—or come out for just ONE lap and earn a raffle entry. All paces are welcome!

🏆 Most laps wins the Marathon Challenge
🎟 One lap earns a raffle entry
👧 FREE Kids Furlong Fun Run (1/8 mile) at 6:30 PM

👟 EMPIRE RUNNERS MEMBERS RUN FREE with advance registration! Email [email protected] for your free registration code.

Not an ERC member? Use code FAIR2026 for 20% off race registration.

🥫 MONDAY IS FOOD BANK DAY!
Bring at least 3 non-expired, non-perishable food items from the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s Most Wanted List by 6 PM and receive $1 general admission to the fair.

📅 Monday, August 10
⏰ Run anytime from 3:30–7:00 PM
📍 Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa

Register here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaRosa/PalioSonoma

Grab your running shoes, bring the family, support the Food Bank, and come run the racetrack with us! 🧡

07/07/2026

06/28/2026

One week to go! 🇺🇸🏃
Join us on Saturday, July 4th for the 53rd annual Kenwood Footrace, a Sonoma County tradition featuring a scenic 10K and 3K through the beautiful vineyards and countryside of Kenwood. After the run, stay for the Pancake Breakfast and Kenwood 4th of July Parade!

https://www.kenwoodfootrace.com/