WOMBLE RUMBLE BEATS THE DOWNPOUR
Hundreds of runners descended on Lodi Lake on Saturday morning to get a jog in before drizzly conditions settled in for the rest of the day.
Logan Arlin and Ruth Hernandez, both cross country and track runners for Lodi High, took the overall male and female victories in the sixth-annual Womble Rumble 5K, with Cora Womble-Miesner and Phillip Kruse winning the 10K overall.
The run, named after former Lodi High cross country and track coach Don Womble, raises money to help the Flames’ track and field team operate, as well as putting money toward upgrading facilities at the school’s all-weather track.
Race director Anthony Rodriguez said the threat of rain kept some runners away — he had 318 preregistered runners, but about 250 showed up. Race-day registration brought the numbers back up.
“I was checking the weather myself,” Rodriguez said. “I think it’s just that time of year. We’re like the Giants — every other year it’s raining on us.”
The main races were preceded by a half-mile kids race (with Conner Winterhalter winning the boys and Leah Womble winning the girls) and a one-mile kids race (winners were Eva Turner for the girls and Alfonso Ochoa for the boys).
In the 5K and the 10K, awards were given to the top three in each age group.
The rain set in just after the final awards were given out.
“It could have been a mess,” Rodriguez said. “I think Coach Womble was up there with his hand on the switch, and wouldn’t let anyone turn it on until we were done.”
Local mixed martial arts star Nate Diaz placed ninth overall in the men’s 10K.