Recreation
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MIDDLETOWN – Fifty youths ages 19 and under joined about a hundred other runners and walkers for the Lake County Milers’ seventh annual Spring Has Sprung run Saturday, May 30.
A couple of these young participants set new records for the event, held for the first time at Crazy Creek Glider Port between Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake.
The most popular race of the Spring Has Sprung 1K/5K/10K event was the 5K (3.1 mile) distance, in which 102 participants competed. Because of the gift certificates offered to the male and female first-, second-, and third-place finishers ages 19 and under, a fast field of youth was present.
The top finisher of the 5K was Kenny Smith of Willits, age 19, with an impressive finish of 16 minutes and 32 seconds (5:20 minute/mile pace). Following close behind was Nathan Paddeck of Lincoln, age 16, with a time of 17 minutes and 1 second (5:29 minute/mile pace).
These two young men also set new records in the seven years of the Spring Has Sprung 5K. Placing third overall was James Ramirez of Healdsburg, age 17, with a time of 18:03 (5:49 minute/mile pace).
For the female top finishers in the 5K, Lake County locals swept the awards, with adult Miler Sara Edwards of Hidden Valley Lake finishing first with a time of 21 minutes and 57 seconds (a 7:04 minute-per-mile pace).
The next three female finishers were all teens, thereby capturing the gift certificates reserved for the youth runners. They were: Kelsey Welton, 18, of Middletown, with a time of 24 minutes and 35 seconds; Alexis Valdovinos, 16, of Hidden Valley Lake (24 minutes and 41 seconds); and Tania Nance, 15, of Hidden Valley Lake (26 minutes and 28 seconds).
Top male finisher in the 10K (6.2 mile) race was another Miler member, Evan Chang of Hidden Valley Lake , who clocked in at 40 minutes and 41 seconds, followed by Jeff Schyler of Hidden Valley Lake at 43 minutes and 14 seconds, and Joe Flores of Vallejo at 46 minutes even.
Top females in the 10K were Milers Linda Boatright of Kelseyville, at 49 minutes and 17 seconds, and Chiyako Ito of Hidden Valley Lake, at 52 minutes and 44 seconds. Aftan Burnett of Napa placed third, at 53 minutes and 12 seconds.
Even the kids’ 1K had increased participation this year, with 18 runners under age 10 making the dash at the event opener.
With mild temperatures, a new race venue, and many local sponsors, the Seventh Annual Spring Has Sprung was embraced by the race participants.
The Milers, seeking to attract more young people to this year’s race, achieved their goal, with 50 youths 19 and under participating, representing approximately a third of the entire race-field.
The 2009 Spring Has Sprung event moved to Crazy Creek Gliderport, which offered the participants a course without traffic, a wide-open view of the surrounding mountains, wildflowers, hot air balloons drifting overhead, and even the chance to witness an ultra-light landing.
Crazy Creek owner Jim Indrebo had been preparing the Gliderport for the foot race for months, and the work paid off with a memorable, one-of-a-kind venue.
“I just can't express how awesome I thought the whole event was,” said Amie Vanderwall of Kelseyville. “The ‘goody’ bags are excellent, the T-shirts are great.”
Amie and her husband, Bill, participated in the 5K run, while their two young boys, Jon and Tyler, joined the popular 1K (0.6 mile).
The Milers, who depend on local business sponsorship and community volunteers to support this race, deeply appreciate the level of support that was extended this year.
Topping the list was Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District, which in tandem with its annual Water Awareness campaign, provided the event T-shirts and sport bags.
Other race sponsors included Happy Smiles Dental Practice, Hardester’s Markets, St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, Hidden Valley Food Mart, Airport Auto Brokers, Hidden Valley Auto Body, Morgan Lane Real Estate, Century 21, Chic le Chef, Langtry Estate and Vineyards, and Middletown Florist and Gifts.
Race participants were treated to healthy snacks prepared by Chic Le Chef catering company, local mountain spring water donated by Whispering Pines Water Company, and a post-race mini-massage, provided by physical/massage therapist Carole Christe of Hidden Valley Lake. Beth Rudiger, a local certified Jazzercise instructor, lead the runners in an invigorating pre-race warm-up.
A sizable portion of the proceeds from this year’s Spring Has Sprung will benefit Operation Tango Mike, a Lake County nonprofit that supplies care packages to U.S. troops overseas (http://home.mchsi.com/~operationtangomike/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html) . Nineteen volunteers, under the direction of Operation Tango Mike’s founder, Ginny Craven, assisted the Milers on race day.
The Milers running and walking group meets in the parking lot of Hardester’s Hidden Valley shopping center (Hartman Road exit off Highway 29) at 8 a.m. (summer schedule) most Saturdays, and the public is warmly invited (call 707-987-3229 to confirm).
Additionally, a new group of walkers and runners meets in Kelseyville Saturdays at the new summer schedule of 8 a.m. starting June 13, in front of Studebaker’s Coffeehouse, 3990 Main St.; call 707-279-8913 for information. To find out more about the Lake County Milers call 707-987-3229 or visit www.lakecountymilers.com .
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LAKE COUNTY – Tuleyome, a nonprofit based in Woodland, is starting the fourth season of its underserved teen rafting program and is looking for volunteers.
This summer the group will take almost 180 disadvantaged teens from Colusa, Lake and Yolo counties rafting down Cache Creek.
The group needs the community's help, because they depend on experienced volunteer kayakers to help get the kids safely and happily down the river: helping kids scope the rapids, maneuver themselves off rocks and provide general encouragement.
The teens involved are from group homes, foster care, after-school programs and American Indian tribes. The teens look forward to the trips every year, and without volunteers, this program would simply not be possible.
The upcoming trip dates are June 11, June 18, June 19, June 25, June 26 and July 9.
If you would like to get involved, please contact outreach director and campaign coordinator Vallerye Anderson at 530-383-0789, or email her at
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For all who are interested in a guided tour of Anderson Marsh with Tom Nixon can meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot. Please bring water and dress in layers.
The event features music from local bands such as The Ryan Family, Don Coffin’s Mandolin Ensemble, Cobb Stompers, Dennis Purcell, Jill Shaw & Sarah Ticheva, Merilark & Bob Johnson with Anna McAtee, Tom Nixon and Ed & Lavonne Moore.
Ranch House tours will be scheduled throughout the day. Times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Registration will take place 15 minutes prior to each tour and is limited to 15 people.
Children’s games and activities will be coordinated by Children’s Museum of Art & Science and include big baggy pants races, old-fashioned sack races and other old-style games for young and old.
Food and beverages will be provided by Konocti Unified School District Culinary Pathway Program.
Fun for the entire family at a price that is easy on the pocketbook: $2 for adults and $1 for children. Ranch House Tours and guided walks are free.
Sorry, no ice chests, food or alcohol for this event and absolutely no dogs (except service dogs) are admitted to the park. There will be no seating provided – please bring a blanket or lawn chair.
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Middle school aged youth will be taught basic safety in the water, as well as basic paddling skills in canoes and paddleboards.
The more daring and athletic may learn the challenging sport of Olympic flatwater kayaking. Beginners move into advanced paddling when they are ready, repeat beginner sessions are OK.
The cost is $50 for the summer.
For high school students there will be a rowing camp from Saturday, June 20, through Saturday, June 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Rowing will be done in eight man shells and some sculling.
The adult rowing camp will run concurrently in the evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is $100.
For more information contact Mike Sullivan at 707-349-9779,
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