The Fresno State vineyards will come to life at 8:30 a.m. April 27 for the third annual Papa Petrucci 5K Run, Walk, Stroll as part of the 40th Vintage Days spring celebration on campus.
Presented by the Fresno State Viticulture Club and officiated by the Sierra Running Company of Fresno, the public event raises funds for the V. E. Petrucci Library in the Department of Viticulture and Enology.
“The proceeds from the 5K go entirely toward funding the V. E. Petrucci Library that is open to students, alumni and professionals in the grape and wine industry and related disciplines,” said Patrick Tachella, club president.
“Participants will have a unique opportunity to run, walk or stroll the vineyard avenues with their friends or families as they see several new plantings and exciting projects that are part of the program’s vineyard development plans,” Tachella said.
Britt Foster, Petrucci librarian, said the library serves many functions for students.
“We are a place to study, a place to form partnerships and relationships, a place to access resources that serve their academic interests and their professional careers,” Foster said. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with these engaged and passionate students — the value they place on the library is inspiring.”
Check-in and walk-up registration for the 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the viticulture and enology building (2360 E. Barstow Ave.; between Cedar and Maple avenues).
The race will be started at 8:30 a.m. by the race’s namesake, “Papa” Vincent E. Petrucci, considered the father of the viticulture and enology programs at Fresno State.
He taught at Fresno State from 1948 to 1993, helping establish the programs as well as the Viticulture and Enology Research Center that houses the Petrucci Library. Since ret
iring, Petrucci has published numerous papers and books detailing wine and grape growing.
The 5K is open to all ages. Registration is $35 for community members and non-students and $25 for high school and college students (must present a valid school ID at check-in). The event is free for children age 13 and younger. Bottled water will be provided.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers of each running class, including the top male and female runners.
Pre-registration for the 5K is available online or the Viticulture Club’s Facebook page .
Payments can be made online. (Link is provided with registration confirmation page). For more information, call 559.278.2089.
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