Locals prevail in Surf City Run as HB celebrates Fourth of July
The city of Huntington Beach spares no expense when it comes to its celebration of Independence Day.
From the evening fireworks to the morning parade, the community comes together to honor the creation of this nation.
Before any of those festivities got underway, hundreds gathered at Worthy Park (adjacent to Huntington Beach High School) to exercise their inalienable rights. In particular, they were pursuing their happiness through running.
Donning a Team USA jersey, Edison alumnus Jeff Thies (Class of 2013) was the first to cross the finish line in the Open Division of the Surf City 5K Run. The redshirt senior at the University of Portland won the race in 15 minutes, 41 seconds.
Thies has represented his country as part of three separate junior national teams. His running career has allowed him to travel the world.
“I’ve been able to race in Trinidad and Tobago, in Italy, and in Canada for Team USA,” Thies said. “It’s been great. It comes with a nice jersey, and it’s always great on the Fourth to be able to wear it again. Wear the colors with pride.”
The 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials were awarded to Mt. San Antonio College last week. Thies said the location of the meet would make for a special experience should he still be running at an elite level at that point.
“It would be spectacular getting to run in front of hometown family and friends,” he said. “Racing there so many times in high school in cross-country and track, it would really feel like home to me.”
Thies ran the 1,500 meters at Nationals last year, and he was an All-American.
The women’s Open Division crown went to Donna Mills-Honarvar in 18:29. She was a CIF State cross-country champion for Newport Harbor in 1991.
The Surf City Run begins with a residents race. Hillary Hayes made it a big day for Edison graduates, as the former Charger (Class of 2009) and Cal Bear led the local women with a time of 18:16.
For Hayes, 26, participating in the local 5K is a way of life. She has been running in the event since she was in middle school.
“It’s been a tradition for me and my family and all of my friends,” Hayes said. “It’s so nice to see the high school cross-country and track kids out here. We get former professional athletes, so it’s really cool to just have the community come together and run this race.”
“There’s so much energy and positivity. I look forward to it every year.”
Running becomes easier when you have good company putting in the miles with you. On that note, Eric Dyson, the men’s residents winner decided to bring a pair of running mates along for the ride.
Dyson trains with Joshua Finkle, and the duo placed first and second in the first race of the day.
“There was a lot of pride on the line when it came down to those last 100 meters,” Dyson said.
So who was the third in their party of three? See if any of these names ring a bell: Scooby-Doo, McGruff, Underdog.
That’s right, Dyson ran with his dog, Griffin. The former Fountain Valley Baron, 27, and his dog won the race in 16:29.
“This guy, we train every day, so I figured that it’s no fair that I get out and do the races,” Dyson added while admiring Griffin. “He never gets to.”
“We’ve seen dogs out here before, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ We just have fun doing it every day. I’ve done this event for years, and it has always just been an awesome event.”
Dyson is the son of current Brethren Christian cross-country coach Deryl Dyson.
Ryan St. Pierre, a recent graduate of Ocean View, placed third in the residents race in 16:34.
Twitter: @ProfessorTurner
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