Tent City Marathon — Atascadero’s First Full Marathon — to Help Rebuild Historic Building
The Printery Building has stood sentinel over the city of Atascadero for over 100 years, a focal point of the community and a center of local industry. Now, it stands empty—the once-grand building sits vandalized and boarded up. But a local organization is looking to bring a little life, and some much needed funds, back to this ailing place. Tent City Marathon is hosting a 5K, 10K, Half, and Full Marathon, right here in Atascadero, to raise money for the historic E.G Lewis Printery Building.
Tent City Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2018. It is the first USA Track and Field Sanctioned Full Marathon to ever be held in North San Luis Obispo County. “This race is unique,” said Victoria Hartt, Race Director of the Tent City Marathon. “It’s a race designed for serious runners, walkers, and folks who don’t care for running at all. They are all coming together to support The Printery Foundation’s goal to rehabilitate our historic building.”
The Atascadero Printery building rests at ease, damaged but stately, on the corner of Olmeda Avenue and West Mall in Atascadero.
The race has participants from all over the world including Spain, England, New York, Alaska, and 5 other states, in addition to locals. The event is perfect for runners, walkers, and spectators. There’s even a “race” for people who would rather not race at all. The “0.0 None Run” encourages participants to bring a lawn chair, blanket, or bean bag chair and lounge on the start/finish line. All racers (even the None Runners) will be treated to a beer or cupcake at the finish line.
Racers and spectators can partake in the Race Expo at the finish line. It will have live music, a beer/wine garden, food vendors, wellness and fitness tents, local businesses, and community non-profits. All proceeds from the race will support the Atascadero Printery Foundation, a volunteer-run group dedicated to restoring the building to its previous grandeur and service.
“The Printery is a piece of local history,” said Foundation President Karen McNamara. “The Foundation’s goal is to keep the building alive, so the city can keep can keep enjoying it for another 100 years. It’s going to take a lot fundraising to make that vision a reality—which is why we’re hoping that SLO County will strap on their running shoes and race to save the Printery.”
To join in on the event you can sign up online, or in person at The Hope Chest Emporium (5800 El Camino Real in Atascadero) or at the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the race, visit tentcitymarathon.com.
