On Thursday, July 4th, three Fillmore runners, Martin Arredondo, Francisco Bernardino, and David Tejada, competed in the Santa Clarita Independence Day Classic 5K and 10K run. Above is Martin Arredondo who competed in both races finishing in 3rd with a combine time of 57:50.

By Coach Epi Torres

On Independence Day, while most of us were recovering from watching and listening to the Fillmore Fireworks show, Martin Arredondo, Francisco Bernardino, and David Tejada toed the start line at the Independence Day Classic 5K and 10K run in Santa Clarita.

The race is run over a relatively flat paved, hot course. On this sunny morning, 734 runners competed in the 5-kilometer race, 180 runners in the longer 10-kilometer race. Athletes also had the option to compete in both the 5-kilometer race and the 10-kilometer race by running the 10-kilometer race first, resting for about 25 minutes during the kids one mile run, and then beginning the 5-kilometer course for a total race distance of 15 kilometers.

Martin took the option of running both races. Martin finished 8th in the 10-kilometer race in 38:16.7. In the 45–49-year-old division, he placed 2nd. In the 5-kilometer race Martin placed 24th overall, and 3rd in the 45–49-year-old division. Combining both races to total a distance of 15-kilometer, he finished in 3rd place in a combined time of 57:50.

Francisco also ran the 10-kilometer race and was 15th overall. In the men’s 45 to 49-year-old division, he placed 3rd in 40:44.7. He also took on the challenge of running the 5-kilometer race and finished 37th in a time of 20:34.6. In the 45 to 49-year-old division, he placed 3rd. In the 15-kilometer combined race time, Bernardino placed 4th behind Martin in a time of 1:01.19. David Tejada ran in the 30 to 34-year-old division and place 21st in a time of 34:52.9.

Other races are offered throughout the summer. Most races allow walkers and runners. Carpinteria High School offers a track series starting on July 19. The Boogie Nights Summer 5K Series is another cool option. The next date is July 10th at 6:00 PM. The College of the Canyons Cross Country Series starts, a much warmer race, begins on July 11th at 7:00 PM. Awesome, just do it.