ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - During the morning of the Fourth of July this year, the Run 4 Hunger races celebrated the 250-year anniversary of America while also helping support Elk Grove Food Bank Services.                           

There were three races: a kids race, the 5K and the 10K. All three races started and ended at District56, next door to the Aquatic Center. The kids’ race was split up just like the 5K and 10K races; there was a quarter-mile race and a half-mile race. The quarter-mile race was for youth ages 6 years old or younger, while half-mile race was for kids 7 to 10 years old.      

After the kids’ races finished, the other two races began at 8 a.m. Although both the 5K and the 10K races started at the same time, they split up running to take different paths after the start of the race. Once the race was over, each runner received a pancake breakfast, post-race snacks and a custom Run 4 Hunger medal.

 

Kitto Gonzalez finishes first in the 5K.

The overall male and female for both the 5K and 10K races earned special prizes, as well as the top three finishers in each 10-year age group, receiving a custom Run 4 Hunger award. Even the first boy and girl in the kids’ races received awards.    

Kitto Gonzalez was the top male finisher in the 5K race, finishing in 16 minutes and 13 seconds. The top female finisher was Kenzie Hopkins, who finished in 17 minutes and 7 seconds.    

Soon after, Aaron James was announced as the top male finisher for the 10K race as he finished in 36 minutes 26 seconds. Then, Danielle Obrien was named the top female finisher, coming in at 37 minutes and 19 seconds.         

 

Volunteers hand out medals to finishing runners.

Although there had been awards given out for top finishers throughout age groups, it did not matter if they were experienced runners or not. It was an opportunity for friends and family to gather, to start the morning early in celebrating a milestone event and enjoying each other’s presence in what was going to be a long day of celebration.

Tents were set up at the end of the race where the runners could have a chance to win free prizes, as well as small businesses that were selling home-made goods and fresh fruit. It did not matter if someone was there to finish first or to just have fun, everyone celebrated and embraced each other no matter when they finished. 

 

Runners received Run 4 Hunger medals.