JANUARY 31, 2010, SAN DIEGO, CA—While most people in San Diego were still sound asleep in bed last Sunday, 93 runners from all across the area descended on Mission Trails Park for the kickoff of the inaugural San Diego Running Institute’s  (SDRI) Dirt Devil Grand Slam Race Series. The race series, created and organized by SDRI owner/operator Dr. Victor J. Runco and his staff, consists of four events around San Diego. Sunday's race was a flat and fast 5K trail run through Mission Trails Park.

The event began with a casual check-in/registration at 7 a.m., with the horn going off at 7: 30 sharp and sending runners down scenic and serene trails of one of San Diego’s finest natural habitats. The runners ran across flat grasslands to Father Junipero Trail, where they ran along the San Diego River, crossing both man-made and natural bridges.

While the winners exhibited blazing speed, most runners maintained a more leisurely pace and some even walked the trail. And when the final walker crossed the finish line to receive their hand made Dirt Devil 5K finishers medal, 90 percent of the race participants were waiting at the finish line to cheer them on.

The second event, scheduled for Sunday, March 28, 2010, will offer participants their choice of the same quick 5K or a more challenging 10K course.  For more information regarding the events, visit www.dirtdevilracing.com or contact the San Diego Running Institute (www.sdri.net).
 —Bill Hicks