Up and coming this year is the 2026 Thanksgiving Day Run in support of the Stockton Emergency Foodbank.  This event is one of the main sources of needed funding. This event benefits local families unable to provide adequate food for themselves and their families. You’re volunteering and sharing Thanksgiving with those in need is greatly appreciated.  The local amateur radio community has been involved in this event for 22 years and we consider this an important opportunity to support our community.

Please for you to help out “Thanksgiving morning” sign-up on the
EVENT SIGN-UP page.

Thanksgiving Day Run & Walk Against Hunger event is near, Thursday, November 26, 2026. The map and assignments are being worked on.

Our mission is to provide communications necessary for the safety of participants and the public. This is both a run and a walk, conducted simultaneously on slightly different routes from the Banner Island Ballpark around Weber Point to Morelli Point (Weber Ave under I-5) and back. The 10K runners do the course twice.

Weather: The show will go on rain or shine. It normally is cool to cold during this event, be prepared for this type of weather.  Raincoat?

Operators: We are currently setting up who will be at what posts – sign up today.

The Plan: We would like to meet at the Ballpark entrance at approximately 06:30 AM. The run and walk begins at 8:00 AM for the Kids and 8:30 AM for adults. Access to our post locations will be difficult after 7:15 AM unless you are on foot or bring a bicycle. The course usually is blocked off by Stockton PD and closed to traffic starting about 7:15 AM. Please expect to be out in the field along the route by 7:15 before the police are closing the roads

        Parking:  If you are working near Net control, you should park in the lot due west of the start area.  If you arrive early enough you may be able to drive and park nearby your assigned post. Do not park in the main lot of Banner Island Ball Park or across the street.

Assignments: We will be updating the map for the posts soon.

Important:  Everyone please make contact with the race flaggers in your area. Let’s help them out during setup and clean up and after the race, things move quickly.  Any help you can provide to the race volunteers would be appreciated. 

Safety: Please, all ham operators should be wearing a green or orange safety vest at all times during the event. 

This is for your safety as well as to identify us as participants, organizers, and public safety workers. If you do not have a vest, our club has many available, just let us know, please. Think and act safely before, during, and after the event. We want you to have an enjoyable time out there. 

Beverage/Pastries: There will be coffee and pastries available at the ballpark as you walk in the gate to the right. Come early.

T-Shirts:  In the past, we are given event T-shirts at net control Thursday morn.    

Frequencies

Main           147.210 pl 114.8    N5FDL

Backup        444.325 pl 94.8      K6KJQ          Please program your HT.

Simplex       147.510 no pl

Bathrooms: Are available in the ballpark but not at our posts, so plan accordingly. Net control can advise you of potential restroom locations on the morning of the event. Morelli Park is usually not available for bathroom use.

Tactical Callsigns: Standard rules of identification apply. We will use tactical calls, but you should identify your ham station as normal FCC regulations.

Checklist: 

1. Dual-band or UHF handy-talkies will work fine but be sure to bring extra batteries to avoid running out of power. Please make sure your radio is already programmed. If you want to volunteer, but do not have a UHF handy-talkie, contact us.

2. Bring a folding chair as our posts don’t have seating available.

3. Appropriate clothing for the weather, mindful it will be dark when we arrive. Cold and rain are always possible.

4. A flashlight may be helpful in the wee hours of the morning before the event

5. Traffic safety vest if you have one. If not we can provide for those that do not.

6. Hot/cold beverages and snacks, as desired.

7. Personal items, such as glasses and medication.

8. Printed Map from the website will be emailed to you. Make sure we have your email address.

Go to the event website… http://www.runagainsthunger.org/Event-Info  it will give you an idea of what’s going on… Please ham radio folks do not volunteer that way, go to W6SF.org to sign up. I suggest printing out the map and bringing it with you. We will use that during the event.

Timing: The 10K race should be wrapped up by 10:30 and you’ll be home in plenty of time to enjoy Thanksgiving festivities.

Do you have time to support your community? 

Paul Engelman N6KZW@sbcglobal.net