Ryan Volker and Rose Scarpa Memorial Scholarship 5k Ninja Run

The purpose of The 7th Annual Ninja Run is to continue the legacy and to honor two remarkable young people: Rose Scarpa and Ryan Volker, who were killed in an automobile accident before they could start their lives together.

The first thing Rose ever wanted to be was a ninja and she worked hard toward that goal, earning a blue belt in Kung Fu by age ten and a gold belt in Mixed Martial Arts at 22. One of her favorite past times was watching Kung Fu movies with her mom. As she grew up, she discovered a love of cooking and pursued this goal with equal vigor; graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and becoming a professional chef.

While cooking at the Atlantis in Reno, she met and fell in love with Ryan, who was also a chef. As a child Ryan and his brothers loved the "Ninja Turtles" and since their single Dad walked with a cane as did the Ninjas' master, they christened themselves the Turtles. Upon Ryan and Roses' passing, the three remaining brothers got matching Ninja Turtle tattoos. This is how the ninja theme originated.

Rose and Ryan were leaving for Oregon on the first leg of a trip to cook around the world when they were killed swerving to avoid a deer. Ryan was planning to propose to Rose upon their return.

This run is in their honor and to raise money so some deserving culinary student can obtain a scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America to continue Rose and Ryan’s dream.

If you want to learn more or donate directly to the scholarship here is the link:

www.ciaalumninetwork.com/RyanVolkerandRoseScarpaMemorialScholarship

Come have fun and dress as your favorite Ninja! We will be running or walking along the Truckee River path. Meet at the Idlewild Park Rose Garden at 8:30am for a start time of 9am, Sunday April 7, 2024.

There will be medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Men’s and Women's divisions.  

Register by March 25th at noon to get a free T-shirt.

Raffle prizes can include gift certificates to local restaurants and events, gift baskets ranging from movie nights to family nights to date nights, or prizes like a bottle of wine.  This year we would love donations similar but not limited to these.  If you would like to donate this year please contact Suzi Stempeck at [email protected] or 775-690-9555.  Sponsorships are due by March 25th 2025, and raffle prizes are due by April March 5th 2024.  

Sign up as a team and receive a $5 discount.  Sign up by March 16th for $20 per runner. After March 16th $25 per runner.  Teams can have 3 to 7 members and any combination of runners, walkers, adults or kids.  There will be no team registration on race day.  If you have any difficulties signing up your team or you have more than 7 team members contact Suzi at 775-690-9555 or [email protected] 

Packet pickup will be Friday April 5th between 3pm and 7pm at Freestyle Martial Arts 6275 Sharlands #1 Reno NV 89523.  Or text or call Suzi at 775-690-9555 to make arrangements to pick up your packet early.   

It's not too late to sign up.  You can register on-line until 11:59pm April 6th and pick up your packet at 8am the morning of the run at Idlewild park.  We will take registrations the morning of the run also. Please bring cash or check to sign up the day of the race.  

Thank you for your support, we look forward to seeing you this year on Sunday, April 7th, 2024.

9 AM Sunday April 7, 2024

Idlewild Park Rose Garden
75 Cowan Dr.
Reno, NV 89509

Thank you to our sponsors!