By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
For 63 folks, Fiesta de Amistad Saturday started a little earlier.
On a day that featured a parade, arts and crafts and a stand-alone bull riding event, the busy slate of events kicked off with the Fiesta de Amistad “Friendship” 5K Run/Walk.
As vendors set up at nearby Greenwood Park for the arts and crafts fair that would be taking place later in the day, runners from Del Rio and from out of town warmed up and prepared to take on the course that would weave through south Del Rio before eventually returning to the finish line on Griner Street in front of the DLP offices.
Cool temperatures greeted the group as it departed shortly before 8 a.m. The 63 runners used their own pace to traverse the 3.1 miles. Upon completing the race, they were greeted with race medals and the top three runners in each age group for males and females were recognized.
Daniel Perez was the first runner across the finish line. A member of the Del Rio Middle School’s undefeated eighth grade boys cross country team, Perez finished the course in 20:14.49.
Right behind him was Will Fooshee, who finished second in 20:18.16. Fooshee, a sophomore at Del Rio High School, is a member of the high school’s junior varsity cross country team.
The top female runner was Karen Jimenez as she finished in the race in 24:45.26.
Jacinto Rivera, owner of popular Del Rio eatery Chinto’s Super Taco, finished third in the Male 40-49 division in a time of 45:13.52. He wasn’t shy about the secret to his success, saying, “If you wanna finish third, eat tacos. If you wanna finish first … don’t eat tacos.”
The top three finishers in each division are as follows:
MALE 0-18
First – Daniel Perez, 20:14.49
Second – Will Fooshee, 20:18.16
Third – Miles Lynch, 25:55.95
MALE 19-29
First – Eloy Chavez, 37:18.48
FEMALE 19-29
First – Nayeli Soto, 26:14.06
Second – Jessica Mendoza, 35:42.83
Third – Victoria Salazar, 43:07.91
MALE 30-39
First – Daniel Chattler, 27:08.07
Second – Ventura Saenz Jr., 27:24.10
Third – Francisco Pacheco, 27:41.30
FEMALE 30-39
First – Karen Jimenez, 24:45.26
Second – Chelsea Lynch, 25:56.44
Third – Cristina Jimenez, 27:42.65
MALE 40-49
First – John Lira, 25:59.46
Second – Robert Benskin, 29:36.16
Third – Jacinto Rivera, 45:13.52
FEMALE 40-49
First – Jeannette Benskin, 24:46.96
Second – Kristen Fooshee, 26:12.52
Third – Ivone Gonzalez, 33:43.53
MALE 50-59
First – Conrado Soto, 24:32.52
Second – Esteban Zamudio, 24:41.16
Third – Joe Corona, 25:58.36
FEMALE 50-59
First – Claudia Carlos, 33:27.48
Second – Netti Dunning, 33:41.97
Third – Lilly Hernandez, 34:50.03
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
