Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless Stars & Strides Run and Walk Set For Saturday, June 28, 2025

5th Annual 5K-10K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run Honoring Healthcare Heroes, Featuring Special Guests Bastian Michel, Former Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Patient, and Susan Benton, RN Assistant Nurse Manager, Pediatric ICU

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Independence Day holiday kicks off early with the 5th Annual Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless Stars and Strides Run, a 5K–10K run/walk and Kids Fun Run that benefits Valley Health Foundation. The event takes place in Discovery Meadow in Downtown San Jose.

For media assets—including a powerful video chronicling former patient Bastian Michel’s remarkable recovery after a life-threatening accident, and images from previous Stars and Strides events—please click here.

WHAT:

• Opening Ceremony (7:30 AM) – Features opening remarks from local elected officials, a costume contest, and a performance of the national anthem by 16-year-old Siena Alexandra Guardino to kick off the festivities.
• 5K-10K Run/Walk (8:00 AM, sponsored by First Citizens Bank and Amazon) – Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen and Sheriff’s Office recruits will lead the official start of the race on a flat, fast, and fun course for people of all ages and fitness levels and abilities.
• Double Helicopter Arrival (9:35 AM, sponsored by HP Inc.) – The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Calstar helicopters land in the festival area with superheroes and special guests onboard, kicking off the Kids Fun Run with a grand entrance.
• Special Guest & Healthcare Heroes Ceremony: Following the helicopter landing, we will honor special guests Bastian Michel (former SCVMC patient) and Susan Benton, RN (Assistant Nurse Manager, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center), recognizing all Healthcare Heroes who make a difference in our community, as they kick off the Kids Fun Run.
• Kids Fun Run at Discovery Meadow Park (10:00 AM, sponsored by Sanmina Corporation) – A ¼-mile course for children between the ages of two and seven, with parents welcome to join with their children.
• Live music from Idol Hands, (comprised of talented Santa Clara Valley Medical Center/Valley Health Foundation personnel), a beer/mimosa bar courtesy of Hapa’s Brewing Company and Joseph George Fine Wines (a free drink for participants 21+), lawn games, food trucks, face painting, bubbles, pictures with superheroes, and more.
• Join the Contests: Race participants can take part in the following:
  • Alaska Airlines Costume Contest: 2 free roundtrip airline tickets awarded to the "Best Independence Day Theme," 2 free roundtrip airline tickets for the "Best Non-Independence Day Theme" and gift baskets for the best “Group Costume Contest.”
  • Luxury Tropical Getaway: Team members from the top three largest teams will be entered into a drawing to win a 5 day luxury tropical getaway. For more details, click here.

WHEN: Saturday, June 28th. The 5K-10K Run/Walk starts at 8:00 AM, and the Kids Fun Run starts at 10 AM. The Sheriff’s helicopter will land at approximately 9:30AM with our special guest introduction at 9:50 AM.

WHERE: Discovery Meadow in Downtown San Jose, ​​adjacent to the Children's Discovery Museum.

WHY: Proceeds from this year’s race will benefit Valley Health Foundation, a nonprofit leader in community health and healthcare that fundraises to support, innovate, and advocate better health for residents in Santa Clara County. In the first four years of the Stars & Strides run, nearly $1.2 million has been raised and donated to the Valley Health Foundation, which supports our four public hospitals and 14 Speciality and Primary Care Health Centers, which collectively serve more than 1 million of our neighbors each year.

HOW: To secure your spot in the race, either in person or virtually, and to get additional details about the event, please visit: https://www.starsandstridesrun.com/