13th Annual Lagoon Valley Trail Run challenges runners – Fairfield Daily Republic

VACAVILLE — The terrain is steep, dry and can be a challenge to run, but about 200 runners took the challenge Saturday and braved the morning heat.

The 13th Annual Lagoon Valley Trail Run didn’t disappoint.

“They have four distances including a 30K, 5K, 10K, half-marathon and family half-mile,” said Todd Rewick, race director.

Most of the money raised from the event will be divided among the track teams in Vacaville.

Gabriella Swartz, 12 of Vacaville, was the first female to cross the finish line and first person to do so for the 13th Annual Lagoon Valley Run, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. The event is a fundraiser for local cross-country teams. (Susan Hiland/Daily Republic)

“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Rewick said. “I just love running, and I love sharing that with people. It’s a passion.”

The run included children as a young as 8 and seasoned runners in their 70s.

“It’s a broad spectrum of age groups,” he said.

“This year, the Thunderhawks brought 30 volunteers and also ran the race,” Rewick said.

One of those runners, 12-year-old Gabriella Swartz, beat everyone to the finish line for the first race. She earned a medal for being the first female across the line and the first person overall.

“It was great. I don’t know if it was my best time,” she said, “but it was fast.”

Eric Burns, 13, of Green Valley Middle School and a team member of the Thunderhawks, a traveling track and field club, came in second.

“This was my first year,” he said.

Burns said that he did it because he liked to run.

“But the views were really nice; that was also fun,” he said.

Overall awards went to the top male and female in the 30K, half-marathon, 10K and 5K, courtesy of Fleet Feet Sports. Everyone who finished the race received a medal.

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