Dakota Places 404th Overall in Run to Feed the Hungry
The Thanksgiving Day Run to Feed the Hungry is Sacramento’s largest “fun run” and a major fund raiser for the Sacramento Food Bank. Now in its 14th year, the event this year drew more then 21,000 participants who either ran the marked 10K (6.2M) course or walked/ran a 5K course through the streets of East Sacramento, raising more than $500,000 in pledges.
My 14-year-old grandson, Dakota, ran the 10K for the first time this year and finished 14th in his age group and 404th overall! He posted a very respectable chip time of 47:49.6 (48:21.0 gun time) and a pace of 7:43/M! Good job ‘Kota!
I think he plans to make it an annual event. And I don’t need to tell you how proud we all are of him. If I can drop some weight, I may train for next year’s run myself. I’ll be 65 then and who knows, maybe there’s one more 10K in these old knees of mine…
I’ve posted links to video of the entire race (in several clips) and overall race results. A new 10K race record was set this year by Alene Reta of New York City who posted a chip time of 28:37.4. Wow!
Congratulations and thank you to all the participants who dedicated part of their Thanksgiving holiday for this very worthy cause.
Doug
10 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (10)
Congratulations on a great finish!!! I know you are proud of him. It would be cool if you could run with him next year, wouldn't it? And it is a good cause.
Your grandson is quite the athlete! And it looks as though he is growing into a fine young man with values and a caring for those less fortunate.
I ran the 10K, I'm 32, and I hate to say your grandson beat my time by several minutes. Tell him congratulations on a good run!
Very respectable indeed!! Well done!!
I like the idea of making this a family event next year! Dakota did this run as a Club event with El Dorado United Soccer. They were trying to do something to give back to the community, a community that helps support them in there soccer fundraising efforts. I must say it was an overwelming feeling standing at the start line (trying to get that perfect photo) for over 20 min. and runners were still crossing.
Lets not forget.. we can try the 5K next year and work our way to the 10K. Hope to see every one there next year!!!!
Yes, I remember, this is the athlete in your family that plays soccer. If he hasn't, he should go out for field and track. He already has the makings for a distance runner for sure.
Oh to be young again.
I am a daily jogger. I usually do 4 or 5 miles a few times a week. But running is different and I'm not particularly good at it. I don't know why, but adding just a little kick to my routine tires me twice as soon. I would love to be able to run a 10K but I think I would have to completely retrain for it.
My hat is off to your grandson. Really good time. Hell, he beat the majority of adults!
Probably a better idea, Lori. I'm not sure my knees will ever allow me to run again, but I really miss it.
I was afraid this year to even try because, when I did last year, it screwed both knees up for months. So I have adopted a relatively fast walk - usually average 3.7 or 3.8 mph - and try to cover 3-5 miles a few times a week. Haven't done it in a couple months, though. I really need to get back in the habit.
So, maybe next year. The idea sure sounds fun.
Doug
Hey Doug! Did you photograph the race? I can't find any pictures.
No Stanley, I didn't make it to this event. 'Kota's mom was there but I got the impression that photos of the boy during the race were all but impossible to get. I'll ask if she got anything at all and post them as an update if so.
Doug