09/01/2026
Help Cross the $2 Million Milestone at the 24th Annual MRC-MEF Run for Education September 27, 2026
Martinez, CA - September 1, 2026 – Get ready to run, walk or roll through Downtown Martinez on Sunday, September 27, for the 24th Annual MRC-MEF Run for Education! This community event brings people together to raise money for the Martinez Education Foundation (MEF) and directly supports Martinez Unified School District (MUSD) schools. The Alhambra High School Marching Band and Color Guard kick off the morning with music and school spirit for hundreds of students, educators, families and community members. This year’s Run features a logo designed by Alhambra High student Nayelie Rodrigez, which will appear on participant t-shirts.
Since 2003, the Run for Education has raised more than $1.9 million to support programs and resources for MUSD students such as technology, reading, science, art, math, and music. With this year’s event, organizers expect the Run’s cumulative fundraising total to surpass $2 million for local education. Among the many grant recipients, Alhambra High School received calculators for their Science Department. Biology and AP Environmental Science Teacher, Emily Ferrairo says, “The calculators are used all the time in our classrooms, especially in chemistry, physics, and AP Environmental Science classes. The grant eased my teaching duties because now students don't have to use their Chromebooks to calculate problems and can use the calculator which removes the barrier of students trying to plug it all into their computer. Students are very thankful for the calculators and ask to use them all the time!"
John Swett Elementary teacher, Katie Page, says her grant has made a positive impact on her students’ music experience, “I have more instruments and a whole set up for school concerts. I am so grateful! My students love the new drums and Ukuleles, and I am loving my new keyboard for whole class instruction.”
What’s been termed “Run for Education Week” starts on Monday, September 21 with the MRC-MEF Fairways Fore! Futures Golf Tournament. MRC underwrites the cost of the Run and Golf Tournament. The total amount of money raised for MEF will be revealed on Race Day by Refinery Manager, Bevan Lewis, who says, “Our refinery is proud to have supported education in Martinez for decades. The Run for Education is a special tradition, and we’re grateful to our Contract Partners for their generous sponsorship of the Run and golf tournament. Supporting education is one of the most important investments we make in our community.”
MEF President and Race Director, Jack Funk points out, “Every year I am overwhelmed with the joy and support that the Martinez community has for its schools and students. Our lead sponsor, The Martinez Refining Company, has taken that support to a whole new level with direct corporate donations to the Martinez Education Foundation and its extremely productive solicitation of the many businesses who donate to MEF through our Golf event as well as the Run itself. We have tremendous gratitude to our sponsors but also to the hundreds of participants and volunteers that make this the wonderful community event that it has become.”
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have fun and support Martinez Unified schools.
MRC-MEF Run for Education – Sunday, September 27, 2026
• Start Time: 8:30 a.m. at Ward Street near Estudillo Street
• Registration: Online at 24th Annual MRC-MEF Run for Education or in-person on event day
• MUSD Students: Run free! (Discount is applied on the registration page automatically based on the entered date of birth.)
• Volunteers Needed: Sign up at [email protected]
• Student Volunteers: Sign up at MEF Student Volunteer Sign Up
• Participants and spectators are encouraged to share their experience using .
Sponsors and community partners who support the Run
Emerald Sponsors, $5,000+
Air Liquide, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Brand Safeway, Cust-O-Fab, Global Scaffolding, Harder Mechanical, HPC Industrial Services, KAP Project Services, North Coast Carpenters, Nooter, Roux Associates, Schultz Industrial Services, Stronghold Companies, UA Local 342, USA DeBusk, Worley
Diamond Circle Sponsors $2,500+
Evergreen
Platinum Sponsors $1,000+
Delta Tech, EUV Tech, Mangan, Nuvision Credit Union, Overaa, Shell Western States Credit Union, Worley
Gold Sponsors $500+
1st Northern California Credit, Travis Clauson
In kind donations provided by: Bill’s Ace Hardware, Martinez Police Department, Martinez Public Works, Martinez CERT, Martinez Unified School District.
