Runners Stretch Legs in Menifee Veterans Day 5K Run

Runners from Menifee and surrounding areas ran through the streets and terrain south of Wheatfield Park Saturday in the fourth annual Menifee Veterans Memorial 5K run.

Those who participated started at the intersection of Menifee Road and Holland Road. At the starting signal of Mayor Scott Mann, they headed uphill on Holland Road, south on Bell Mountain Road and over the hill on a dirt path. Passing two water stations manned by local Cub Scouts, the runners proceeded west on Garbani Road to Paloma Road, north to Holland, east to Menifee Road and back to the finish line at Wheatfield Park.

Some runners competed in costume and others had companions with them. Robert Lennox, community services director for the City of Menifee, ran with his two dogs (left).

The overall winner of the 5K was 20-year-old Luis Gutierrez, who finished in a time of 19:19. The top female finisher was Sophia Candenhead, age 16, whose time was 23:37.

First to cross the finish line was Luis Gutierrez in a time of 19:19.

Sophia Cadenhead, just 16 years old, was the top female finisher.

Members of Cub Scout Pack 374 pass out water to runners at the top of Bell Mountain.