The Annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run — which took place Sunday (April 2) in Sacramento — raised more than $210,800 for the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) to help local kids across California and Nevada.

More than 1,800 runners participated in this year’s Credit Union SACTOWN Run, including nearly 1,200 credit union employees and members from across California and Nevada. The event, which started and ended on the Capitol Mall in front of the California State Capitol, featured a 10-mile race, 5K run, and “Miracle Mile Fun Run and Fitness Walk.”

The run was hosted by the Sacramento Running Association (SRA) and also served as the USA Track and Field (USATF) Masters 10-Mile National Championship.

“Once again, we were honored to work with the Sacramento Running Association to host such a great event to raise much needed funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout California and Nevada,” said Diana Dykstra, president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues (Ontario, CA). “These donations will help kids receive the care and treatment they need, thanks to a number of credit unions and businesses in both states.”

John Pamer, chair of the Credit Union SACTOWN Run and CEO of Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union (Concord, CA), said the annual race has become a cherished rite of Spring for credit unions and business partners. “Each year since 2012, we run, jog or walk our course on the first Sunday in April,” Pamer said. “But the real benefit is that the $210,800 we raised this year — and the $2.5 million we’ve raised since day-one — brings healing and hope to patients and their families every day of the year. Credit unions and our business partners are committed to helping people in our local communities, and the Credit Union SACTOWN Run is a strong demonstration of this commitment.”

Larry Palochik, executive vice president of the Leagues (Ontario, CA), said that every child deserves the chance to live a happy and healthy life. “Supporting Children's Miracle Network hospitals in our two states is our opportunity to help make that a reality,” Palochik said. “Together, with our credit unions and sponsors, we are helping provide hope and healing to children and families in need.”

Joe Franklin, vice president of brand and experiential marketing for Co-op Solutions (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), thanked all of the runners who participated in this year’s Credit Union SACTOWN Run. “The partnership between CMN Hospitals and credit unions is a truly synergistic one,” Franklin said. “The two things that determine physical and mental health are access to health care and solid financial wellness. When members of society and their children are physically healthy or have access to quality care, and they feel financially secure, it builds a stronger community.”

Kevin Miller, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union (Vacaville, CA), said his credit union believes in “people helping people” — and the annual race is just one more example of this unique industry philosophy. “I’m proud of our staff and their families who are running and volunteering with that spirit to benefit the Credit Union SACTOWN Run,” Miller said.

Bill Cheney, chief executive officer of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union (Tustin, CA), said his credit union’s team looks forward to participating in the race each year. “They’re eager for the physical challenge of the race while supporting a cause that aligns with our credit union values,” Cheney said. “We are proud to participate and support children and their families in local hospitals, including UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Thank you to our team and all runners and volunteers — you make a difference in the lives of others.”

Amanda Merz, community impact manager for SAFE Credit Union (Sacramento, CA), said her leadership and team are pleased to be a part of the Credit Union SACTOWN Run. “Seeing all of our fellow credit union employees and leaders come together to help raise money for children’s health is so inspiring,” Merz said. “Credit unions are all about ‘people helping people,’ and it is so rewarding to see all of us working together for a greater cause while also having some fun.”

Race Champions and Times
The following champions placed in the best times during the race:

• 10-mile Men’s Champion: Brendan Gregg (West Sacramento, CA) — 47:52

• 10-mile Women’s Champion: Julia Vasquez (Walnut Creek, CA) — 55:58

• 5k Men’s Champion: Anthony Mallory (Folsom, CA) — 16:15

• 5k Women’s Champion: Annika Braun (Folsom, CA) — 17:30
   

You can view 2023 overall race results. Additionally, all years’ results are on the SRA website.

Local Participants and Sponsors
Credit unions played a big part in fundraising, as 69 credit unions participated with runners, walkers, and independent fundraisers to raise money to donate to local CMN hospitals. Some of the many credit unions having large teams or several individual employees participate included SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union (106 participants); Patelco Credit Union (76 participants); SAFE Credit Union (60 participants); Golden 1 Credit Union (55 participants); Redwood Credit Union (20 participants); Heritage Community Credit Union (19 participants); Travis Credit Union (16 participants); OE Federal Credit Union (14 participants); Sierra Central Credit Union (13 participants); First Tech Federal Credit Union (13 participants); Pacific Service Credit Union (9 participants); and San Mateo Credit Union (9 participants). All other credit unions participating had five or fewer employees involved.

Superhero sponsors of the event included CO-OP Solutions, CO-OP Miracle Match, and the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. Additionally, seven credit union Hero sponsors included First Tech Federal Credit Union, Golden 1 Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, SAFE Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Travis Credit Union, and Wescom Credit Union. Eight Champion sponsors included California Credit Union, CUNA Mutual Group, Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union, OE Federal Credit Union, Origence, Pacific Service Credit Union, Redwood Credit Union, and San Mateo Credit Union.

An additional 46 credit unions and business partners sponsored the race within these sponsorship categories:

• Buddies — Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Sacramento Credit Union, UNCLE Credit Union.

• Friends — Bay Federal Credit Union, California Community Credit Union, Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union, Credit Union of Southern California, Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union, Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union, Financial Horizons Credit Union, Great Basin Federal Credit Union, Heritage Community Credit Union, InterWest Insurance Services, KeyPoint Credit Union, One Nevada Credit Union, Orange County’s Credit Union, Sierra Central Credit Union, TruEdge Builds, Upward Credit Union, USC Credit Union, VA Desert Pacific Federal Credit Union, and ViClarity.

• Pals — Antioch Community Federal Credit Union, California Members Title Insurance, Delta Schools Federal Credit Union, Fiserv, Inland Valley Federal Credit Union, Kaiperm Credit Union, LBS Financial Credit Union, Mattel Federal Credit Union, McKesson & Healthcare Providers Federal Credit Union, Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union, Nikkei Credit Union, OakTree Business Systems Inc., PostCity Financial Credit Union, SafeAmerica Credit Union, Sea Air Federal Credit Union, Sequoia Federal Credit Union, Siskiyou Central Credit Union, SMW 104 Federal Credit Union, Stearns Financial, South Bay Credit Union, SWBC, United Catholics Federal Credit Union, UPS Employees Federal Credit Union, and Valley First Credit Union.
   

CMN ‘Champion’ Braylin McMullen
Each year, CMN Hospitals across the United States identify a “champion” in their local community to represent kids treated at the local children's hospital. This year, Wheatland, CA resident Braylin McMullen was named the 2023 CMN champion for UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Her health journey began after contracting E. coli when she was three years old. After much treatment and surgery, she is now living her best life and representing CMN at UC Davis.

The Annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run is for kids like Braylin — and so many others across California and Nevada! THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year’s event!