Copyright © Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

A month or so ago I was inspired by my friend Anne to join her on Saturday April 19, 2014 in Walnut Creek, CA to participate in the Diablo Trail Challenge. It would be her Birthday and she wanted to do something fun and athletic for it. I read about the event and wanted to join her.   There were four events going on; a 50K, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K.  Anne is a runner; she signed up for the 10K, and I hike/walk signed up to do the 5K. I thought we’d finish about the same time.

I asked He-Man if he wanted to do it with me and he said he would.

The Diablo Trails Challenge is a fundraiser to protect, restore  the land, trails, and build new trails. This event started and finished at Castle Rock Recreation Park in Walnut Creek, CA.

The whole event was really well-organized from start to finish. Overflow parking was at local High School. Since my event was last I knew parking in the park would be full, so I went straight to the High School where I found plenty of parking.

Free Shuttle buses were running continuously between the Park and High School.  There was a line for a shuttle bus when I got there, and Anne had sent me a text message telling me it took her awhile to get on a shuttle. The volunteers at the Shuttle bus waiting line were very “time” conscious . They walked up and down the line asking if anyone was doing the 10K?  If they found any they were quickly sent to the front of the line.

Once we got to the Starting area I found the check-in process well-organized and well manned. Then all we had to do was people watch while waiting for the 5K to start. As it got closer to the start time people started gathering near the Starting Line I went up in front and grabbed a quick photo.

Then I went to the back of the pack, raised the camera over my head and tried to capture the 5K pack-

When the Gun went off to begin our event I crouched low and slowed my shutter speed to capture the motion of the runners/walkers feet-

The trail started off on flat sandy/rocky soil then quickly we started going up.  Several men runners from earlier events passed us. About a half mile into the hike I saw a woman running down the hill wearing a 10K bib. She was the first woman we’d seen returning. She might have been the first place 10K woman.

The trail was mixed terrain; flat and easy or rocky and tricky. The trickiest place was the creek we crossed.

There was big puddle  that was too deep to run/walk through so everyone went around it, which caused a bit of a bottle neck. We let returning runners/walkers come across first. There’s He-Man with his back to me in the blue T-shirt carrying a black camera bag.

We got to the 5K turn-around point but, I hadn’t seen Anne coming down yet so we decided to wait a bit for her. 8 minutes later Anne; the Birthday girl/woman turned the corner with a friend (Bill).

Anne and Bill left us shortly after saying Hello to keep their pace and time. We’d meet them at the Finish.

There were lots of cheering volunteers and staff along the trail. This man, a photographer, and female volunteer not shown were just past the 5K turn-around point where we waited for Anne.

This couple was having a lot of fun, and look like they have plenty of energy to finish.

a male runner on the way to the Finish Line- he might be a Half Marathon Runner.

Photographing the photographer

The Finish Line in my sights!

After crossing the Finish Line I collected my Finishing Metal, and T-shirt then grabbed a snack then we headed to the Shuttle.  I couldn’t find Anne to say Good-bye, and I didn’t have cell service, but tried sending her text message anyway. Anne found us in the Shuttle waiting line. We all left together. We all agreed it was a fun morning with great weather.  I’d do this event again. Maybe next time Baby Girl, and #1 Grandson will do it with us too.

All images taken with a Nikon D700 w/AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G  using Lexar Professional Digital Film, developed in Photoshop CS6