Baby Z ran his first 5k with Dad at the neighborhood festival. He took 2nd overall, 1st in the "Father and Child," and 1st in his age group with a time of 18:30. Great job! The race starts and ends at the St. Helena festival grounds, at the front door of the Church on 43rd Street. The course turns left on 32nd Avenue for one block, then turns right onto 44th Street, and goes west for two more blocks. The race continues south for six blocks along Nokomis Avenue, east down 50th Street, with a turnaround at 36th Avenue & 52nd Street. For race information, visit: www.sainthelena.us/autumndaze/5k. For Run 'n Fun store and race team information, visit: http://www.run-n-fun.com/. Photos by Helena Pikus Li.
We made a makeshift race team onesie for Z's debut. Dri-fit!
Dad and Z carb-loaded and laid out their race gear.
Z is raring to go! He is PUMPED.
Z showing us his racing flats.
Dad putting on Z's race warm-ups.
The course is an out and back. The 180-degree turn will be tough!
Walking the course.
Talking with Sergeant Helen before the start.
Z is hydrated and ready to rock.
Can I shoot the gun, Sergeant Helen?
BYOB - bring your own bottle.
Start line.
Securing his race number. We're gonna run like the wind!
Warming-up.
Strides.
The race starts at the front door of the Church on 43rd St.
Start line.
Another stroller. That teddy bear doesn't stand a chance.
Runners and volunteers.
Doing some strides.
Doing some strides.
St. Helena
Let's do this!
Lining up.
Autumn Daze
On your mark.
Get set.
Go!
And they're off!
One block on 32nd Avenue, then right onto 44th Street to Nokomis Ave.
Lead police car bringing in the first runner.
Lead police car bringing in the first runner.
St. Helena cheerleaders!
Dad and Z in 2nd place!
Z wooing the ladies on every corner.
Four blocks to the finish. Two women with their little ones asked if that was my baby was winning the race. ha ha.
Great job! First Dad with stroller.
Chatting with friends, including Kat Himes, 1st place woman.
Yes, Kat. They totally named the church after me.
Yeah, I'm a pretty big deal.
Runners receive a bottle of water, bananas, bars and a hot dog at the end of the race.
Happy baby, ready to eat his free hot dog.
The final rose.
Family photo.
Perry, we need to get some official race team gear!
Yahooooo!
I'm not sure what kind of food was at this booth, but it looks fun.
At my booth. :)
Race Director, Charlie Casserly.
First place for women.
First place for a father and child finishing together (in lieu of father and child in jogging stroller).
Z holding his prize!
Ah, the sweet smell of victory.
I won! I won!
First place for men.
Two really cute spectators. I asked them if I could take a picture and they said, "Why? We're just two old people."