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Drawing about 180 participants to the Graniterock site off Airline Hwy, the Sixth Annual YMCA River Run took runners up and down the local hills on Sept. 12, giving them a great view of San Benito County.
Besides the 5K and 1-mile races, there were photo booths, various goodies from the Youth Alliance for San Benito County, a sand pile for children, a rock painting station and the Cafe Con Leche coffee truck.
According to YMCA Healthy Living Director Sierra Diaz-Moreno, the race was founded as a way for Graniterock to help with fundraising.
“We have all the profits go towards financial aid,” she said. “We offer assistance towards more accessibility to health and wellness programs, such as our gym membership, swim classes, youth classes. It is a way that we can give back to the community.”
Sponsors included Graniterock, the San Benito County Health Foundation, SVE Timing, CHISPA, 18 Mile Drive Pool Care, San Felipe Farms, Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and the Anderson Family Foundation.
Porterville resident Andres Rodriguez said the event is something everyone at his fire station always tries to attend.
“It was my first time doing the 5K,” Rodriguez said, “It was actually my fellow firefighters’ idea to do it in our structural gear. I was all on board, and it was a good little workout for us.”
He said he liked that the course was not flat and included some uphills, adding that his favorite was probably the last part because he said he knew it marked the end of the three-mile run.
Hollister resident Robbie Thedford said he prepared for the race by working hard and running extensively with CrossFit in San Benito and Spartan Racing. He said the race was particularly enjoyable that day.
“I love the cool mornings, and it was shady,” he said. “I saw great people; it wasn’t too crowded, and it was a great morning.”
Thedford said he has participated in the activity before and had been training for two years. As a result, he improved his time, earned a personal record and plans to continue challenging himself.
“I wanted to come out, get a workout in and hang out with some awesome friends,” he said. “It was an accomplishment for me, and I had never received an award before, so this is something special.”
Participants check in and pick up their race bibs ahead of the YMCA River Run. Photo by Adam Bell. 
1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place winners’ rocks are available at the end of the race. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Runners competing during the YMCA River Run. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Leandra Zendejas is happy to receive the award. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Firefighter Andres Rodriguez receives an award for completing the YMCA River Run. Photo by Adam Bell.
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