HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE >> The Lake County Milers Signature Spring has Sprung Event featuring a Kids K, 5K, and a new scenic and challenging 10K course, took place on Sunday, April 22 in Hidden Valley Lake with participants ages four through 70 and up. This year’s event, the 16th annual, was greeted with perfect spring weather and an energetic crowd with over 200 participants. The Kids K, a very entertaining event with kids strutting their fitness around a circular course kicked off the competition. The Spring Has Sprung event supports High School running and will benefit Middletown and Kelseyville Track and Field.
The Milers strive to get people of all ages involved with walking and running, and the spread of ages competing in the 5k and 10K was undoubtedly a testament that they are accomplishing their goal. Both the 5K and 10K were very competitive with young runners capturing the top spots in the 5K and more seasoned runners first to finish in the scenic and hilly 10K.
The first four runners to cross the finish line in the 5K distance (3.1 miles) were male athletes between the ages of 14 through 18. Isaac Rascon, of Middletown, claimed the top honors by crossing the finish line in 18:20.9, an impressive 5:55 per mile average on the mostly flat course. Jayson Tostie, 18, of Cobb, took second place with a finish time of 20:05.6, or 6:28.9 per mile, with Dimitri Imbrunetti, age 16 of Hidden Valley Lake, taking third with a finish time of 20:06.3 (6:29.1). All three male finishers belong to the Middletown High School Track Team.
Perhaps the most impressive finish in the 5K distance was Anna Cobb, 10, who was the fifth finisher overall with a finish time of 20:21.4 — a solid 6:34 minute per mile. Cobb is no stranger to racing and took up the sport at age five with her running siblings and parents. She is part of the Lake County Milers, “Junior Milers” which is coached by her mother, Sheri Cobb.
The woman to come in second for the 5K distance was Yareli Lozano,18, of Kelseyville, with a finish time of 21:01.3 (6:46.8 pace). Claiming the third spot was Rachel Ahlmann, 34, of Lower Lake with a 6:48.6 per mile pace — a total time 21:06.7.
The first place female and male winners in both the 5K and 10K each won a $60 coupon toward the event of their choice at the Santa Rosa Marathon, Half, 10K/5K taking place the weekend of August 25 and 26.
Registration information at this very popular event is found at www.santarosamarathon.com.
Many Lake County residents plan on running the 5K, Half and Full Marathon distances again this year. The proximity to Lake County and the long daylight hours during the summer for training opportunities make the Santa Rosa Event a local favorite.
The challenging and scenic 10K had more diverse age groups represented in the top spots. Kenny Brown, 48, of Santa Rosa, took the tough course in stride and finished the 6.2-mile course in an impressive 40:09.8 — or a 6:28.6 pace. Tyler Cobb, 16, from Hidden Valley Lake, and also part of the Middletown High School Track team, came in second with a finish time of 40:48.8 (6:34.9 pace). Anthony Correia, 27, of Santa Rosa, took the third spot with a finish time of 46:59.1 (7:34.6).
Annii Skeen, 34, of Kelseyville, took the first place woman spot with a finish time of 46:49.1 (7:33 pace), followed by Megan Buffalo, 36, a Lake County Miler from Lakeport, with a finish time of 47:43.1 (7:41.7). Alisha Bazzano, 45, a Lake County Miler residing in Hidden Valley Lake reeled in the third spot with a finish time of 51:12.8 (8:15.6). Placing third on the challenging course was an impressive feat by Alisha, who ran the Boston Marathon in tumultuous weather just six days earlier.
Both first-place finishers Kenny Brown and Annii Skeen will also be awarded a $60 coupon towards the Santa Rosa Marathon event of their choice.
Platinum Sponsor for the 2018 Spring Has Sprung run are Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District (promoting water awareness), Pacific Tree Care, Adventist Health Clearlake, Calpine, Gold Sponsors. Silver and Bronze Sponsors include Hardester’s Markets, The Tree Guys, Griffin’s Furniture, Santa Rosa Marathon, Muscle Matrix Gym, Anytime Fitness, Mountain High Coffee and Books, Realtor, Faylen Silva, and La Parrilla Mexican Grill.
