By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer

The 40th anniversary of the 5K and 10K Run Through the Pines, which is run around Lake Gregory, was a success, said Rim of the World Recreation and Parks District representative Carly Korn. “There were approximately 286 that had preregistered for the race, and we had a total of 325 run today,” Korn said.

Hugh Bialecki and Gigi Bannister, members of the board of directors of the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District, which sponsors the annual event, both ran the race this year. The options for the races include both a 5K and 10K race and a 5K racewalk, which is once around the lake.
The Sheriff’s Academy Class #215 ran as a unit, counting cadence the whole 10K route. Afterwards, they were each presented a medal by Girl Scout Troop 10.

Laura and Michael Coaty of Skyforest said they ran behind the Academy runners and enjoyed listening to their cadence calls. “This is the third time I’ve run this race, and listening to them was fun and inspiring,” Laura said.
This year, there were many more local runners than in previous years. People run for many reasons. Cindy and Greg Geers were running to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, which falls on the same date. Victoria Goya, 42, who runs/walks the lake every day, felt she finished well. Sabro Foster said, “This was a beautiful day for running the lake, and this is the fourth year I’ve entered this race.”

Jonah Cohen, 9, of Santa Monica outran both his mother and former running teacher Gordon Ewing. Sandy Robbins, 68, and Jim Sydner, 74 both from Apple Valley, won their age divisions. Leonidas Hernandez from Fontana, who came in first in the 12 and under race, said, “It was actually easier at the end; the middle was more difficult with more hills and turns.” His father, John Hernandez, who placed first in the 41-50 age division, said, “It felt great to have my son running with me, and he beat me at the end.”

Taylor Miller, 7, Emily Miller, 5, and Presley Gomez, 8, of Girl Scout Troop 10, for the second year in a row, presented the specially designed 40th anniversary medals to every runner as they crossed the finish line. The overall 10K winner (male) was Jimmy Grabon; overall 10K winner (female) was Amy Feld; overall 5K winner (male) was Israel Ramos; overall 5K (female) was Destiny Jacobo; overall 10K racewalk winner was Twin Peaks resident Marianne Ronay; and Overall 5K racewalk winner was Edward Price.

The race route was clockwise around Lake Gregory in the street lane closest to the lake. The CHP closed the race route lanes around the lake from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. when the lanes were re-opened to vehicle traffic.