14th Annual Demon Dash held

WASHINGTON — On Saturday morning, families and runners alike showed up to the Washington High School for the 14th Annual Demon Dash 5k and 1 mile obstacle course fun run.

Soon-to-be Stewart Elementary Physical Education teacher Clay Eaton made the 5k look easy as he ran across the finish line at 20:57.

“It was fun. A good course and a good cause,” Eaton said. “But I’m just in it for the burrito.”

Funds raised by the Demon Dash benefit the health and physical education of Washington area’s youth.

Father and son Andrew and Zach Shepherd came in second and third behind Eaton.

“Sometimes you got to let the kid win,” Zach Shepherd said of his son finishing before him.

What impressed Zach Shepherd, however, were the two young girls on his tail the whole run.

“The two behind us kept phenomenal pace,” Zach Shepherd said. “They’re obviously runners.”

Twin fourth graders Sophia and Olivia Lujan came in right behind the Shepherds.

They attribute their love of running to their older sister Bella Lujan and their participation in Girls on the Run.

“It’s about more than running,” Sophia Lujan said. “It’s about friendship and being a better human.”

By moving their bodies, participating in fundraisers for good causes, and spending time as a family, Sophia and Oliva seem to take the idea of becoming better human beings to heart.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com