For the Love of the Sport: Rachel Lunt
Rachel Lunt, President of Castro Valley Sports Foundation Board of Directors.
Playing sports is a way to come together as a community, and here in our own community, the Castro Valley Sports Foundation (CVSF) does just that. Run by 14 members who facilitate fundraisers and coordinate outreach, the head of this organization is Rachel Lunt, the President of the Board of Directors.
As an athlete in her younger years, training and running in triathlons, participating in obstacle racing, and a current active runner and cycler, sports have been an integral part of her life and continue to be today. Lunt’s passion has also led her to also take on the position of Castro Valley High’s Track and Cross Country coach, and she recalls her sports experiences as activities that “taught me hard work, teamwork, humility, resilience, and fortitude.”
This background in sports as well as her active engagement with the community, inspired Lunt to join CVSF, mainly because of their mission of supporting and promoting youth sports. “I wanted to be part of a foundation that can help widen and sustain sports participation for the youth in our community,” she explains.
The Castro Valley Sports Foundation gives back to our town by funding youth sports programs and community leagues through a grant program that improves sports equipment, supplies safety equipment, and more! Sponsors are key to helping widen and sustain sports participation and contribute heavily to the success of the foundation. Along with sponsorship, fundraising events supply the Foundation with the money to give back every year. One such event that Lunt enthusiastically highlights is the Bi-Annual Hall of Fame (HOF), which recognizes outstanding athletes and coaches.
“The inductees that have been inducted into the CVSF HOF have demonstrated core values of commitment, courage, and respect, are inspirational leaders, and have contributed to the community. It’s an honor for our sports foundation to recognize a class of Hall of Famers since 2010,” Lunt says.
One of Lunt’s biggest accomplishments through the Sports Foundation was facilitating the first 5K and 10K run in 2017, which was called the Run to the Dam. “At the time, CVSF did not have a running fundraiser event,” Lunt details. “And being a runner, I knew most of the logistics in hosting one.”
After receiving full support from the community, board, and East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD), Lunt used the Chabot Staging Area to set up this big event, which ended up being a massive success.
“I was a cross country coach at the time at Canyon Middle School, and it brought me so much joy to see my youth runners and their families participate in the fun. We were able to host another event in 2018 called ‘Run 4 Sports’ before we officially took over from Castro Valley Track Club, the Lake Chabot Trail Challenge Half Marathon & 5K in 2019.”
As for future endeavors, Lunt hopes to one day include Lake Chabot in a triathlon-type event that would include swimming, mountain biking, kayaking, and running. For now, though, CVSF's main goal for 2023 is to continue gaining support from local businesses in the Castro Valley community through sponsorship, volunteerism, and fundraising efforts. The annual Lake Chabot Trail Challenge is one that incorporates all three, and all Castro Valley residents are encouraged to participate with friends and family.
If you are interested in participating in the Lake Chabot Trail Challenge on Sunday, June 4, the signup form has opened. (https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/CastroValley/LakeChabotTrailChallenge)