Photos are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KpTo8nZFSJ8Z9ZGP6

Before the Start: This was my first race of 2025 and my first after recovering from an injury, a small stress fracture in my right ankle in November. I had been in a boot for 5 weeks. La Cruda 5K is a vey popular event and someone after the race told me there was somethin like 800+ registered for this one before race day; and on race day more people registered. Race management comany iaap did the timing and results, and their official results showed a total of 745 finishers for the 5K. There was also a 1-mile walk. I arrived with about 40 minutes to the start time and enjoyed seeing lots of friends there and getting some pre-start photos – which I hope to share if-and-when I ever get my lost camera back – and also handed out some dog treats to the doggies there. Race start time of 10 a.m. The weather was nice and sunny, with a light wind and a temp of 47 degrees at start time. This race was put on by Solers Sports, operated by my friend, Lisa Soler.

On the course: The event was held in Helotes, Texas – Old Towne – just off of Bandera Road. We started in an area that had a few businesses, picnic tables, water fountain, small indoor restroom. It was behind and next to what used to be the old Roger Soler Sports building. We were on a short gravel path for maybe 50 yards and them made a right turn onto Old Bandera Road. This took us up to a traffic cirlce, where we made a right turn, and went down this street to a turn-round. We came back up this street, then made a right turn past the traffic circle, which took us down to another turn-round. We then proceeded up Old Bandera Road, going once more past the traffic circle. We then passed by where the start/finish was and went down a long incline to our 3rd turn-round point. This brought us back up the incline we had just come down, going once more past the start/finish line area. We then did this loop a second time, and after the second uphill on the course, we then turned back onto the gravely entrance to go to the finish line. I was taking it pretty easy, not wanting to stress my foot, as this was my first event after several weeks. I ended up 13th out of 15 in my 70-79 males age group, with a chip time of 48:48.

After the Finish: Big party. All kinds of food, including Kiolbassa sausages; water, Alamo Beer; gatorade, and lots more. All finishers got a very nicely done finisher medal. The race shirt is very nice quality too. Mucho thanks to all the many volunteers; the bike-lead person for the speedy runners; iaapweb for the timing and results; they always do a great job; Pushbutton phototograph for the offical race photos; and all the many sponsors, vendors, etc., who help make this event happen. Also, thanks to all the police officers out there for our safety. If you have never done this one,give it a try on some New Year’s Day; you will not regret it.