RUNNING HOT; RACE BENEFITS HUNGRY SENIORS.

Byline: Don Holland Daily News Staff Writer

In this comfortable community, with its scenic landscape and upscale neighborhoods, hundreds of runners turned out Sunday to benefit a nearly invisible but growing minority: the elderly poor.

An estimated 600 runners, joggers and walkers from across Ventura County and beyond hit the road in the fifth annual Love Run to benefit the Meals on Wheels program in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park.

The event is the single largest fund-raiser of the year to help feed area shut-ins. Organizers hoped to match proceeds from last year's event, which brought in nearly $20,000.

``We serve about 30,000 meals a year, all delivered by volunteers,'' said Frances K. Prince, executive director of Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, which operates the Meals on Wheels program. ``It's just amazing to me the number (of seniors) in this community who live on less than $10,000 a year. . . . The senior population is growing at a faster rate than any other age group in this area. So (the problem of senior poverty) is going to increase, not decrease.''

Samuel and Henry Behm, 11-month-old twins, were in their second competitive run of the weekend, said their mom, Andrea Behm of Agoura Hills, who pushed the toddlers in a tandem stroller over a 5-kilometer course. But Behm wasn't breaking any speed records Sunday.

``Occasionally they'll throw a bottle out, and I'll have to go retrieve it,'' Behm said. ``That's what Samuel did.''

Carrie Schneider, 9, and her sister, Alyson, 6, weren't quite sure what the fund-raiser was all about. But they had some serious walking in mind as they chatted and giggled before the start of their one-mile fun walk.

``I think other kids are faster than me, so I'll be like third or fourth place, but I am fast,'' said Alyson, beaming in her hot pink warm-up jacket.

Chip Lightfoot, a jogger from Westlake Village, had a slightly more competitive spirit. He and a couple friends in the 5K run had a friendly wager going. The stakes: dinner at the Jonathon Club.

``I'm just out for a little fun,'' said Lightfoot, who was aiming to come in under the one-minute handicap given to him by fellow runner Nancy Hickey.

Jogger David Dauch of Newbury Park was likewise taking a very Sunday-morning sort of approach to the run.

``I just wanted to participate, to come out and be part of the festivities,'' said Dauch, who makes annual treks up Mount Whitney. ``It's a good fund-raiser, and it gives me a good opportunity to get some good exercise. It's kind of a way to stay young.''

Meals on Wheels serves two hot meals a day to some 80 residents in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color--Color in Conejo Edition only) Tod Disney finishes first at Sunday's benefit 5K Love Run.

(2--Color in Conejo Edition only) (Ran in Conejo and Simi Edition only) Hundreds take off running Sunday in Thousand Oaks to raise money for area Meals on Wheels.

(3) Runners in Sunday's Meals on Wheels benefit refuel with bagels, bananas and beverages after the 5K race through Thousand Oaks.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News