Tim Liddell and I are friends who have a love for running in common.  At Men's Retreat, we used to get up before dawn on Saturday morning and run, sometimes in the rain.  Well, the thing is ... Tim is a better runner than me.  I always have trouble keeping up with him even at sea level, so keeping up with him in the mountains around Pine Valley was proving to be a bit too much.  I remember telling him once (on a rainy morning), ''I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for you.''  I suggested to him that we organize a 5K run for the men at the retreat.  He thought it was a good idea, as did Steve Daniels, so the Men's 5K was born.  The first year there were only a few sleepyheads with us, but last year there were a lot more men, and I think it will continue to grow.

Keep in mind that running is one of the fastest growing sports, and that San Diego is one of the most health-conscious cities.  More and more men (and women) are learning to enjoy the fresh morning air.  At Pine Valley, it's fresh morning mountain air, and there is something extra special about that.  We don't sell this event as a true ''race''.  Really, it is more of a fun run, and several guys last year didn't run at all but walked the whole way.  It's really better to get out there and just have fun without worrying about breaking records (though the camp recognizes the first place finisher and gives a little gift to him).

The distance of a 5K (five kilometers) is 3.1 miles.  Click here to see the entire route for this year's run.  Most guys will be able to run it in less than half an hour or walk it in less than an hour.  And then comes breakfast!  Believe me, cinnamon rolls never taste as good as they do after exercise!

Dave Fenska