The 2nd annual Gaucho Gallop, hosted by Teva and the UCSB Alumni Association, gave everyone a chance at glory Saturday, including the racers’ furry friends.
In an unusual shift from the standard cross-country race, event organizers started the day off with a one mile “Doggie Dash.”
“I wanted to do something a little different and involve the dogs,” event organizer John Lofthus said.
Santa Barbara local Paul Bryan came in first with his little lady, Ella. They finished the race in 5:10, which earned Bryan a six month supply of food for his canine companion.
“I was thinking I hope she doesn’t pull my arm out of its socket,” Bryan said.
Bryan also competed in the 10 kilometer race later in the morning.
Men and women in the 10 kilometer race competed for Gaucho-themed bikes from The Colligate Bicycle Company.
A heated battle erupted in the final stretch of the men’s race. As racers neared the finish, UCSB alum Armando Flores was hot on the tail of Goleta local Ian Leitch. Yet no matter how much effort Flores could muster, Leitch maintained an eight-second lead to end the race in 34:39.
“It was a spectacular day,” Leitch said, “Some of the guys were a bit off this week, and so I had a bit of fortune. It felt good.”
Flores, a former Gaucho himself, graduated UCSB in 2008 and was a member of the Gaucho soccer team. His second-place finish was especially surprising since this was his first distance race ever.
“I trained a good amount,” Flores said, “I wanted that bike so bad.”
Jakob Cavaloi, 7, of Santa Barbara, was the day’s youngest racer. He took an early lead as he competed amongst the adults in the five kilometer race. Ultimately Cavaloi placed 19th with a time of 35:05.
“This was my third race,” Cavaloi said, “It was a lot of fun.”
Nearly 300 runners registered for the races, according to event organizers.
