Watsonville native Justin Carrancho took first place in the eighth annual Salinas Valley Half Marathon over the weekend, besting second and third place by five minutes.
Carrancho, a Watsonville High alumnus who runs for the University of Alaska Anchorage, completed the scenic 13.1-mile rural route past agricultural fields and vineyards in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 10 seconds. He shaved off more than four minutes from his time in 2015.
It was seventh time the race, which begins in the Soledad Mission, an historic site of the 13th California missions originally built in 1791, was held. Last year the race was cancelled due to poor air quality from the massive Soberanes Fire raging in the mountains west of the valley.
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HS FOOTBALL
• St. Francis football, cheer raising money for Oregon trip – The St. Francis High football and cheer teams are raising money for their upcoming trip to Milwaukie, Oregon by selling tickets to the San Francisco 49ers’ August 19 preseason football game against Sharks alumnus Ty Sambrailo and the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium.
Each ticket is $40 and half of the proceeds will go to St. Francis, which is flying north to play La Salle on September 8. To purchase tickets visit fevo.me/2sRcbWW and to donate to St. Francis select other in the drop down menu during check out.
For information, contact Athletic Director Adam Hazel at ha***@st***********.net