Runners don Halloween costumes at the Fourth Annual Jeepers Creepers run on October 19th at the Valencia Heritage Park. Organizers offered a 10 K, a 5 K, and a half-marathon.
Alana Lataillade-Nguye, joined by her sister, Carissa, offers encouragement from the sidelines.
“My sister and I, both with our husbands, are participating in this race, so we just made some signs to support them,” Lataillade-Nguye said.
Serious competitor Miguel Custodio is a third-time runner at Jeepers Creepers.
“The only reason we didn’t come last year is because our babies, so they ran, or shall I say, they baby strolled, a 5K,” said Custodio.
12-year-old Lily Peterson was as fast as white lightning when she participated in Jeepers Creepers.
“This…this one’s for the first female overall. This one’s for the first female in my age group. And, this one’s just for finishing,” said Peterson.
Many people brought kids and pets. Miguel also brought his wife and 78-year-old mother, who took turns pushing the double-wide stroller.
“Yeah, my mom, she’s 78, and this is her second race of Jeepers Creepers. She won first place in her age range for the first time she ran it,” said Custodio.
Unfortunately, the family team got lost on the bike path and ended up running an additional 4 miles.
“Just the two people who were in front of me throughout the race, and then they turn around and tell me from far away to turn back because we’re going the wrong way,” Custodio said.
Not everyone received an award, but everyone did win big.
