Saturday morning, Feb. 5 arrived with clear skies and mild temperatures, setting the scene for a successful staging of the 30th annual Don Osborne Memorial Run. The 5k run and the one mile run/walk drew participants from Oakdale, Escalon, Modesto and beyond, taking part in the fundraising run hosted by the Oakdale Lions Club.

There were several different age groups; awards for both male and female divisions, and coordinator Alan Graham said there were more than enough medals to go around. Running the clock and providing the results was a crew from Pace Yourself Timing.

In the mile, 15-year-old Mason Oliveira, an OHS sophomore, was the first place finisher in the male division, running the mile in 5:19. Crossing the line first in the female division was 10-year-old Maxine Darpinian of Escalon, with a time of 8:20.

First place in the 5k went to Raymond Rodriguez, 60, tops in the male division at 18:16. Second overall, and first in the female division, was Nancy Eubanks, turning in a time of 20:59.

A few members of the local TOPS chapter took part, as they have for the last several years, and among them was Audrey Oliver who, at 84, said she enjoys getting a medal each year. Her time in the mile for 2022 was 16:59.

Also taking part was the Warren family of Oakdale, mom Sarah, 5-year-old son Shawn and 6-year-old daughter Karah, along with their dog, Phoenix.

“He loves it,” Sarah said of their running canine companion, “we run all the time.”