By Moe Johnson

San Marcos — It is getting to be later in the year but San Marcos has a few runs yet in town for local runners to enjoy.

The latest was the Thankful Turkey 5K last week that had almost perfect weather to run in.

A slight drizzle was in the air but the temperature and wind were great for runners. The lead bike had a tough time as his glasses were covered with raindrops and visibility was limited.

Local and area runners did well and a number of them carried home a Thanksgiving meal for their efforts.

The overall male winner was San Marcos runner Sean O'Neil with a time of 16:10. Ken Hausmann, a former Texas State cross country runner, came down from Austin to win the Masters category in a time of 20:38.

Mountain City resident, Liz Kaminski took the Female Masters award with a 26:22 time. In the men's 19-under Michael Hernandez took third in 18:41 and Guillermo Hernandez ran a 24:25.

In the women’s 19-under division, Brianna Kaminski, age 10, ran a nice 25:20 time and Kyllie Torres, age 9, from San Marcos ran a 42:18.

In the 20-29 age group Tim Bayless, a former resident took first place with a 17:20 and Justin McCreight ran in third with a 23:50.

For the women's 20-29 San Marcos did very well with Stephanie Ritter taking first in 22:49, Krista Betzing in second with a 23:38 and Megan Rouch had third with a 24:14 time. Annie Lozano had a 25:43 time, Elizabeth Deming ran 30:07 and Angela Minor ran 31:41.

For the 30-39 age group, Doug Framke took second place with a 17:43 time and Daniel Garza ran in at 42:19. For the women in that age group, Liesela Austin placed fourth at 27:57, Alyssa Lash followed her in 30:24, Tiffany Saenz ran a 32:12 and Karen Lawhead ran in at 38:35. Martindale's Deanna DeLeon ran a 40:57.

In the 40-49 age bracket, San Marcos’ Eric Rindahl took first with 20:53 and Sam Fullman placed third in 21:39. Michael Small posted 24:07 and Dave Carlsberg ran in at 30:39.

For the women Sly Quintero took second in 28:22, Laura Mason ran a 30:14, Anita Long had a 31:09, Denise Kardosz ran a 35:27 and Lori Krackau had a 46:04 time.

In the 50-59 age category, Dan Gibson displayed a strong finishing kick to take second at 25:44, Robert Kantz was fourth in 27:27, Ron Seal ran 28:33, Len Hickey ran 41:52 and Wimberley's Al Kieley ran a 42:04.

The women from San Marcos in that age category were well represented with Julie Kantz taking second in 27:51 and Cindy Shannon-Lee placing fourth in 29:52. Charlene Martinez ran 32:52, Becky Patterson ran 39:38 and Brigitte Payne crossed the line in 41:28.

In the 60-69 division, Frank Payne took home first with a time of 25:04, while Martindales's Daniel Garza clocked 32:39 and Ronnie Murphy had a 33:59.

For the 70 and over class, local runner Carl Scheiber grabbed first with a time of 30:56 and Russel White was second in 31:27. Vonda Lee Adorno from Austin, at the young age of 75, took first for the women with a fast 31:08.

Next up for local runners is the return of the Sights and Sounds 5K on Saturday Dec. 4 starting at 4 p.m. down at the Sights and Sounds event.

A different starting time from the usual race time but this run will go along the River Walk and let the runners get back in time to enjoy the festivities of Sights and Sounds.

The runners can register early for $20 until Dec. 2 and day of race for $25. Entry fee will include entrance into the Sights and Sounds event for that evening and the awards will be on the sound stage fight after the race.For more information call 393-8280.

For those runners who are familiar with the Annual Christmas Lights Fun Run and Walk held each year save Dec. 15 down at the Courthouse for that run starting at 6:30 p.m.

This is a very fun event with costumes recommended and food and fun after the run for anyone at the Activity Center. After dark attire is encouraged with lights and reflective clothes the standard dress for the run.

Then on Dec. 13, the Trek Holiday Half Marathon is at Tanger Outlet Center for women only with a 5K, a 10K and a Half Marathon race starting at 7 a.m.

Dr. Maurice Johnson is an instructor at Texas State University in the Departmeent of Sports and Exercise Science. His column appears every week in the Daily Record.