‘I love this course’

Runners return to Santa Clarita Marathon, hitting city’s streets for weekend events

Dolores Valencia threw her hands up as she crossed the finish line at the Santa Clarita Marathon on Sunday, breaking the tape for the third time.

“It feels fantastic,” she said, smiling.

This was the 55-year-old’s third Santa Clarita Marathon win. She, like many others, traveled to Santa Clarita for the race.

“I love this course, so I keep coming back,” she added.

San Fernando Valley resident Carlos Larios, who won first place in the half-marathon, agreed and said he has run it multiple times, placing third or fourth in years past.

“I love the course. It’s very nice,” he said. “The hardest part is the first 8 miles — it’s kind of uphill. The last 4 or 5 miles downhill was great. It was a cool-down for me.”

Larios said he had to push himself the last couple of miles and did his best to keep up mentally and physically to finish strong. “I’m really happy.”

Others were local, including marathon winner Timmy Kahovec. Not only is Santa Clarita Kahovec’s hometown, but he’s also the running coach at Trinity Classical Academy.

“I had to protect my home turf,” he said, adding that running with his students helped him train. “My whole family was here cheering me on.”

Santa Clarita resident Jessica Duran ran the halfmarathon with her sister this year.

“I do halves, and then I do one full (marathon) a year,” she said, adding that she’s traveled as far as New York for races. “I really enjoy them and running — it’s super fun.”

Employees from Northeast Valley Health Corp. in Valencia participate in the race together every year.

“We use it as a fundraising opportunity to help support our patient programs,” said Rosa Guerrero, director of public relations for the company.

“This is our ninth year participating. We had about 65 employees in the race.”

Gilbert Bernal/The Signal Runners charge up the path that takes Santa Clarita Marathon participants through one of the city’s many open space trails Sunday. Events Saturday included 5K and 10K runs, while the marathon, half-marathon and Mayor’s Walk took place Sunday.

Dan Watson/The Signal Runners start the 5K Heroes Edition of the Santa Clarita Marathon weekend on Magic Mountain Parkway, near the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday. Read more about the Saturday marathon events and see more photos on A6.