RUNNERS OF A FEATHER : San Juan Capistrano Heritage Festival Race Will Go On, Even Though Gus D. Swallow Has Had His Wings Clipped

Due to a sartorial mishap (his costume’s a wreck), Gus D. Swallow, San Juan Capistrano’s unofficial mascot, won’t be leading this year’s Follow the Swallow Race. A major disappointment, I know, but if you can get past it, there are still several opportunities for family fun at the 1992 Heritage Festival, which continues through April 11 at sites throughout the city.

The 15th annual event, also known as the Fiesta de Las Golondrinas, or Festival of the Swallows, includes two dozen community activities and shows (ranging from team cattle-penning to pancake breakfasts), highlighted last week by festivities at Mission San Juan Capistrano marking the yearly return of the swallows.

(According to the mission’s director of tourism, Brian McInerney, swallow turnout at the March 19 event “was not the best.” Bad weather was most likely to blame, said McInerney, although he did get a call from an Oregon woman who explained that because it is Leap Year, “the birds just got confused on their dates.”)

Here’s the lineup on the remaining Heritage Festival events. Unless otherwise indicated, additional information can be had by calling the city’s community services department at (714) 493-5911.

The festival takes an educational turn tonight at 7 with “The Story of Rancho Niguel,” a multimedia presentation by local historians/authors Bob and Mary Decker and hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society.

Drawing upon a collection of fossils, archival photographs and slides, the Deckers will trace the evolution of the Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano areas from prehistoric times to today, followed by a question-and-answer period. The one-hour program will be held in the La Sala room of the San Juan Capistrano Library and is recommended for high-schoolers on up. Admission is free. Call (714) 493-8444.

Runners seeking a carbo-rush, and those who just enjoy a good plate of pasta, may want to catch the Carbo-Load Dinner on April 2 at Sarducci’s Cafe, just across from the mission. The all-you-can-eat dinner, a pre-event for the Follow the Swallows race, includes a choice of three pasta specialties, salad or soup, bread, dessert and beverage.

Tickets for the dinner, which is served from 5 to 9 p.m., are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Reservations are suggested.

With Gus D. Swallow out of the race, the field is wide open for non-feathered athletes in the 15th Annual San Juan Capistrano Follow the Swallow 10K and 5K Run/Stride (a person could get winded just saying the title) on April 4 at C. Russell Cook Park at the corner of La Novia Avenue and Calle Arroyo.

The 10K route includes a hill and other challenges for experienced runners, and winds through the city’s historic district and along nearby bicycle paths. The 5K fol lows a flat course through the park and along the bike paths. A children’s 1K “fun run” is also planned for runners under 12, and each child will receive a participation ribbon and a variety of post-run goodies.

The 10K starts at 7:30 a.m., the 5K at 8, and the children’s run at 9. The awards ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Registration fee for the 10K and 5K is $18; the fun run is free. Runners can register on the day of the race beginning at 6 a.m., or by mail through the community services department.

The more equine inclined may prefer to saddle up for the Heritage Trail Ride on April 11. According to organizer Tracy Stott, the two-hour ride follows a scenic route among the hills over San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente and is geared to intermediate-level riders and up.

Riders and spectators can unwind with a post-ride lunch in nearby Cook Park. (Lunch is included with riders’ registration fees; non-riders pay $5.) As an added incentive for the saddle-sore, Stott has designed this as a “poker ride” (participants will be given two covered playing cards at the beginning of the ride, and one additional card at each of three stops along the way. When the ride is over, the rider with the best poker hand wins a prize).

Registration fees for the Heritage Trail Ride are somewhat steep ($35 to $45 per person), but with good reason. Funds raised will benefit the Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center, a 14-year-old instructional program for disabled children and adults. The specialized classes are available to children as young as 2, said Stott, who serves as the center’s executive director.

“With (riders with) physical handicaps, it’s good to get them started young,” explained Stott, whose program serves about 80 riders weekly. “This can make a big difference in a child’s development (because) it’s therapy they want to do.”

The center recently acquired a customized pony carriage that can accommodate a wheelchair and will begin driving classes as soon as a draft pony can be bought or is donated.

The Heritage Trail Ride will begin at 9 a.m. at Mission Hills Stables. To register for the ride, or to sponsor a rider, contact Stott at (714) 240-8441.

What: San Juan Capistrano Heritage Festival, featuring the Follow the Swallow Race and Heritage Trail Ride.

When: Events continue through April 11.

Where: Various sites throughout the city.

Wherewithal: Ticket prices and registration fees vary.

Where to call: (714) 493-5911 for general information.