The race season for San Marcos is alive and well, and local runners have some great weeks ahead for some races without the travel out of the city. It all started last Saturday with the Country Roads 10K out at Country Estates. There were 116 finishers in the 10K and quite a few youngsters in the kid’s run.

The Overall Champion for the men was Mike McGinty from San Antonio, who passed Carl Clark from San Antonio at about the five-mile mark and finished about 14 seconds ahead of him in a time of 35:55. The women’s overall champion was Rochelle Cuff from San Antonio, who ran a fast 40:10 for an 8th-place finish overall. The Master’s champion was Carl Clark who led most of the way until McGinty passed him; and the women’s Masters champion was Lea Ann Sexton from Austin in a time of 53:29.

San Marcos, Kyle, Martindale and Buda runners who placed in the race included Edward Suarez with a first place in the under-19-year age group, and Daniella Suarez with a first place for the women in the 19-and-under age group. Edward ran a 1:10:48 and Daniella ran a 1:06:30.

Paul Archer took third place in the 20-29 year age group with a 39:20, and Kelly Parsons took second place in that age group with a time of 47:09 for the women.

Tommy Machado took third place in the 30-39 age group with a 48:18, and Jeanie Mize took second for the women in that age group with a time of 56:05. Eric Rindahl garnered third place in the 40-49 age group with a time of 47:10, and Kathryn Welch did the same for the women in that age group with a 58:47 time. Paul Paese grabbed 2nd place in the 50-59 age group with a good 45:12 time, and Eva Sanders took first in that age group for the women with a 1:00:29 time.

In the 70-plus age group, there were some great representatives that running is a lifetime sport when Joe Barger from Austin took second place at the age of 81 in a time of 1:14:53, and Vonda Lee Adorno took first place at the age of 72 with a time of 1:07:42. John Perkins, Cedar Creek, took first place in the 70 age group with a fast 52:46 time.

Other area runners who ran the race included Quillan Sneed with a fast 46:18; Corey Cantu ran a 51:26; Tim Pope ran a 51:56 and Matt Ashley ran a 53:02 time. Gabe Mize crossed the finish in 54:03; Zak White ran a 56:06; Jamie Duesser crossed the line at 1:00:29; Jacque Olvera ran a 1:01:32 and Gina Auerbach finished in 1:02:42.

Robbie Pfeifer ran a 1:03:28; Diana Esparza ran a 1:03:35; Lauren Krasinski ran across in 1:07:18; Kay Heatherly crossed the finish in 1:09:48 and Ben Branam ran a 1:11:07. Nelda Pannell race-walked across in 1:11:35 for a fourth place in the 50-59 age group; Sandra Elrod ran a 1:12:34; Celina Bley ran in at 1:14:53; Carrie Adams crossed in 1:18:50; and a tight finish between Polly Haynes at 1:25:27, Janet Gooding at 1:25:28 and Jill Aylor at 1:25:29 met with a crowd approval.

Mylinda Zapata crossed in 1:27:53, Michelle Lopez ran a 1:31:50 and the Golicks, Brian and Jan, made it across in 1:33:06.

If you missed this race, look forward to running in the Pet Fest 5K on Saturday, September 29 down at City Park for a run along the River Walk. The race starts at 8 a.m., and dogs or pets on a 6-foot leash or shorter are welcome if they are in a good racing mood. Registration cost until race day is $20, and a Fun Run of either one mile or a quarter-mile distance is $10. You can run without getting a T-shirt for only $2. Dogs are not charged an entry fee.

The top three runners in 10-year age groups to 60-plus will get awards; and the top three dogs with a female running partner will also get an award, as will the top 3 dogs with a male running partner. For more information about the race, call 512-754-PALS. The Fun Run will start at 9 a.m.

Then on Saturday, October 6, the From Here to Eternity 5K Cemetery Run will be held at the Lamar Annex at 500 Hutchinson Street. Race time is 8 a.m. The entry fee for pre-registered runners is $15, and after October 1 the cost is $20. Texas State students get a $3 discount with an ID card.

Awards are in 10-year age groups to 60-plus. This is a fun run through the neighborhoods and the cemetery for a little scenery change that most runs do not have. The first part is quite a bit of uphill, but the last mile is really nice for a fast downhill to the finish. For information contact Mary Pendergast at marypend@grandecom.net or call 512-396-3797.

Then after that is the Red Ribbon 5K Drug Free Run and I will have more information about that run next week. For local and area runners this is a great time to collect some T-shirts and run right here in San Marcos. Keep those running shoes close by, as there is a lot of racing to be done in the next few weeks.