Last year, 900 people participated in the three-mile run-and-walk event, which benefits stroke services at the hospital, Adduci said.
The boost in enrollment could be attributed to the dash being the official warm-up race this year for the Los Angeles Marathon, which is set for March 21, she added.
This year’s dash is also featuring its first family and kid bike ride. Only 10 people have signed up for the ride, but organizers say some runners and walkers may join the ride after they finish the dash.
“We are hoping people will come out,” said Colin Bogart, liaison with the nonprofit Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, who’s been working with city officials to implement a Safe and Healthy Streets plan.
Bogart and a Community Services and Parks employee came up with the idea to add a family and kid bicycle ride to the dash.
To avoid injuries, the rides will begin after the runners and walkers start their leg of the dash, he said.
“It’s an opportunity for children and families to do a ride on the streets of downtown Glendale while the streets are closed off,” Bogart said.
The ride will have a different path than that of the runners and walkers, he said.
Cyclists won’t ride through the Americana at Brand or on Orange Street because the streets must reopen to motorists, Bogart said.
The Downtown Glendale Merchant’s Assn., which is hosting the dash, will donate the proceeds to Glendale Adventist Medical Center to help fund public education and awareness for stroke services, said Landon Bennett, the hospital’s marketing director.
Nearly $100,000 has been raised from the downtown dash since its inception, organizers said.
This year’s event sponsors have donated $60,000 to the event so far, said the hospital’s spokeswoman, Alicia Gonzalez.
Organizers will also raffle off a $500 scholarship to kids who participate in the dash, she said.
Awards will be given to the fastest runners, teams, and by age groups.
