Sacramento, CA (April 8, 2025) |
The Annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run took place Sunday, April 6, in Sacramento, raising more than $190,000 for 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) and helping local kids throughout California and Nevada receive the medical care they need.
More than 2,000 runners participated in this year’s run, including 1,600 credit union employees and credit union 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/walk, and Miracle Mile.
The run was hosted by the Sacramento Running Association (SRA), a community-based nonprofit that promotes the sport of running in the greater Sacramento area, including the California International Marathon. It serves as the USA Track and Field’s Pacific Association 10-Mile Championship.
“The 2025 SACTOWN Run was a tremendous success, raising a significant amount for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Scott Simpson, President and CEO of the California Credit Union League and Nevada’s Credit Unions. “Building on that momentum, the credit union movement's commitment to this cause is inspiring, and we look forward to continuing to support CMN kids.”
Credit Union SACTOWN Run Chair and Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union CEO John Pamer said the run embodies the “people helping people” philosophy, exemplifying the credit union industry's dedication to community. “Our partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and the more than $3 million we’ve raised, showcases our commitment,” Pamer said. “We look forward to continuing to provide vital support to sick and injured children across California and Nevada.”
Running for the Cause: SACTOWN Committee Thanks CU Leaders
The Annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of credit union leaders from across California and Nevada and Credit Union SACTOWN Run committee members.
“The Credit Union SACTOWN Run is more than just a race — it’s a reflection of our shared mission to support the health and development of children in our communities,” said Flora Nafei, SACTOWN Run Committee Member and Executive Director of Credit Union Affairs for Patelco Credit Union. “Each mile brings us closer to providing vital care through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. We’re proud to stand with fellow credit unions in turning compassion into action for families across California and Nevada.”
SRA Executive Director Scott Abbott said the Credit Union SACTOWN Run is a landmark “rite of spring” event in the Northern California running community that is at the confluence of everything that makes a running event great. “It’s a great sporting event with top professional runners competing in a championship race, a great community running event that has events and distances for all ages and abilities, and a great philanthropic event that raises a lot of money for a magnanimous cause,” Abbot said. “We are proud to continue working with our West Coast credit unions and CMN hospitals to produce this fantastic gathering for our community.”
‘Credit Union SACTOWN Run’ Champions, Race Times, and Results
The following champions placed in the best times during the race:
- 10-Mile Run Champion (men): Ero Doce (Turlock, CA) — 48:58 (time); 4:53 (minute-mile pace).
- 10-Mile Run Champion (women): Maya Weigel (Los Altos, CA) — 55:22 (time); 5:32 (minute-mile pace).
- 5K Run/Walk Champion (men): Anthony Mallory (Carmichael, CA) — 15:43 (time); 5:03 (minute-mile pace).
- 5K Run/Walk Champion (women): Kristi Capello (Carmichael, CA) — 18:37 (time); 5:59 (minute-mile pace).
You can view 2025 overall race results. Additionally, all years’ results are on the SRA website.
Credit Union Participants
The California and Nevada credit union movement played a big part in raising funds, with runners, walkers, and independent fundraisers hailing from 24 participating credit unions to support CMN hospitals this year (a total of 29 credit unions and system organizations were represented).
They include: California Credit Union League, Chevron Federal Credit Union, Concord Federal Credit Union, CUSG, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Golden 1 Credit Union, Kaiperm Credit Union, LBS Financial Credit Union, Mocse Credit Union, Monterra Credit Union, Nevada’s Credit Unions, OE Federal Credit Union, Organized Labor Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, PSCU, Redwood Credit Union, Sacramento Credit Union, SAFE Credit Union, San Mateo Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, San Diego County Credit Union, Self Help Federal Credit Union, Sierra Central Credit Union, South Bay Credit Union, Travis Credit Union, UNCLE Credit Union, Upward Credit Union, Valley Strong Credit Union, and Velera.
Those sending the largest runner teams were Patelco Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Golden 1 Credit Union, Mocse Credit Union, and SAFE Credit Union.
State Legislator Participants
State legislators and legislative office teams in this year’s race included:
- Kristen Root, Legislative Assistant for Assemblyman Greg Wallis.
- Lisa Orr, Legislative Aide for Senator Laura Richardson.
- Sunny Snell, Senate Fellow for Senator Maria Elena Durazo.
- Staff from the office of Assemblyman Avelino Valencia.
Sponsors: Superhero, Hero, Champion, Buddies, Friends, Pals
The Credit Union SACTOWN Run Committee would like to thank the following sponsors:
- One Superhero sponsor: Velera.
- Seven Hero sponsors: First Tech Federal Credit Union, Golden 1 Credit Union, Monterra Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Travis Credit Union, and Valley Strong Credit Union.
- Three Champion sponsors: Origence, Operating Engineers Credit Union, and Redwood Credit Union.
- Five Buddies sponsors: California Credit Union, KeyPoint Credit Union, LBS Financial Credit Union, Pacific Service Credit Union, and SAFE Credit Union.
- Six Friends sponsors: Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union, Desert Valley Credit Union, Sacramento Credit Union, TruEdge Builds, Upward Credit Union, and Wescom Financial.
- 11 Pals sponsors: Convergint Technologies, Credit Union Solutions Group, Delta Schools Credit Union, Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union, Financial Horizons Credit Union, Kaiperm Credit Union, Oak Tree Business System, Inc., Post City Credit Union, SMW 104 Credit Union, UNCLE Credit Union, and USC Credit Union.
- Nine Recognitions: Antioch Community Federal Credit Union, Autoland, Cook Solutions Group, Fiserv, Organized Labor Credit Union, Polam Federal Credit Union, QwickRate, Stearns Financial, and Valley First Credit Union.
CMN ‘Champion’: Shine Arslanian Story
Each year, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals across the United States identify a “champion” in their community to represent kids treated at the local children's hospital. This year, El Dorado County resident Shine Arslanian (age 7) has been named CMN champion for UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Shine is a real “miracle” who has beat the odds — and his story is a testament to the incredible work of the care teams at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. The annual Credit Union SACTOWN Run is for kids like Shine and so many others across California and Nevada. Thank you to everyone who participated on behalf of Shine’s heroic story.
Exciting Pre-Event News Coverage
Credit Union SACTOWN Run organizers would like to thank the following news media outlets for spotlighting the annual event leading into Sunday:
- ABC 10 and FOX 40 interviews with UC Davis Children’s Hospital Senior Nursing Professional Development Specialist Michelle Linenberger, and Credit Union SACTOWN Run Chair and Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union CEO John Pamer.
- FOX 40 interview with Credit Union SACTOWN Run Chair and Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union CEO John Pamer.
- ABC 10 and FOX 40 interviews with California Credit Union League and Nevada’s Credit Unions CU Solutions and Relationship Manager Elise Schexnayder, and UC Davis Children’s Hospital Assistant Director of Development for Children's Miracle Network Vanessa Martinez.
