Some runners crossed the finish line shirtless, while others ran
the Mission 10-Mile and 5k Run dressed from head to toe. There were
husbands and wives jogging with carriages in hand. One guy carried
a large American flag for the race’s duration. There were spirited
teams. And there were runners of all ages.
Some runners crossed the finish line shirtless, while others ran the Mission 10-Mile and 5K Run dressed from head to toe. There were husbands and wives jogging with carriages in hand. One guy carried a large American flag for the race’s duration. There were spirited teams. And there were runners of all ages.
Like Ed Markham, 74, of Hollister, who finished the five-kilometer course in about 49 minutes. A key player in starting the race here 25 years ago and a longtime member of the Hollister Rotary Club, which sponsored the 25th annual event held this morning in San Juan Bautista, Markham took part for the second consecutive year.
He acknowledged that he’s in pretty good shape for his age.
“Well, my legs are,” said Markham, shortly after finishing the race. “I got other problems, though.”
Markham and others at the cheerful event – on a brisk yet comfortable morning for running – crossed the finish line on 2nd Street neighboring Mission San Juan Bautista to a cadence of cheers as consistent as the spacing between participants.
Some teams of runners dressed alike and cheered on their peers as they passed by the historic Plaza Hotel to the finish line.
Julie Wolfsmith, of Morgan Hill, and her husband are founders of Wolf Pak, one of the teams of training partners on hand. She said today’s runners from the group ranged in age from 11 to 64. Comprised of people from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, the Wolf Pak takes part in most events around the region, such as triathlons and bicycle races, she said.
The Mission race, though, is the longest run the group does.
“This is a really nicely run event,” Wolfsmith said.
The fundraiser for the Hollister Rotary Club also included the third annual Fun Run for kids that took place before the 10 a.m. run.
“I see their eyes (at the starting line) – that’s what I like,” said Mike Sanchez, an assistant superintendent with the county office of education and also a Rotary member.
