Lots of burned calories at the 2024 Hobbler Gobbler run

RIO RANCHO — The annual Hobbler Gobbler Run at Rio Rancho High School brought many families out on a chilly Thanksgiving morning.

Hundreds crowded the race start point which was just outside of the RRHS main offices.

There was a 10K race at 9 a.m., a 5K at 9:15 a.m. and a “Kids K” at 10:15 a.m.

“My wife is running, and I am here to support her. This is her third time, and she’s taken first place both times ... her name is Katherin,” a proud Steve Kuhl said.

A lot of Rams were in attendance for the 10K, which included cross-country head coach Philip Keller and runners Abigail Beam and Charlie Vause, who just recently qualified for the Nike XC Nationals, which will be held on Dec. 7 in Portland, Oregon, when he placed third at the Nike Southwest Regional Meet Nov. 23 in Mesa, Arizona.

“Coach Keller, I think, works pretty closely with them [Run Fit], those people who put these on all throughout the season, like cross-country and I think some track. He encourages us to volunteer. It’s always fun,” Vause said.

Vause dressed up as a turkey and was at the finish line passing out medals to runners.

Coming in first place for the 5K race was Caden Nunn, who finished in 18:45.

“It feels good, it feels good, definitely not here without the coaches,” said Nunn, who is a collegiate track sprinter at Lubbock Christian University in Texas. “I am 400-meter runner, and so coach over the break told me, ‘Hey, go run a 5K in and just stay in shape.’”

Rounding out the top 10 for the 5K: Isaiah Galbraith (18:46), Michael Caraveo (19:09), Joey Byrne (19:26), Bob Kelly (19:27), Jensen Storth (19:32), Ben Lantz (19:45), Antonio Pacheco (20:00), Reina Paredes (20:07), and Cassandra Bronwell (20:12).

“It’s been a while since I have run this course. The hills kind of sucked, but it gets pretty good in the end,” said Galbraith, who is a junior on the RRHS cross-country team. His sister, Mariah, finished second in the 2024 cross-country state championships.

Coming in first place for the 10K race was Andrew Amor who finished in 33:34.

Rounding out the top 10 for the 10k: 2. Adam Kedge (34:54) 3. Caiden Dawes (35:21) 4. Andrew Kevan (35:52) 5. Xavier Martinez (36:40) 6. Solomon Kandie (36:57) 7.Todd Nickerson (39:45) 8. Mark Kevan (41:06) 9. Josh Herbert (41:50) 10. Dylan Smothermon (42:03).

At the end of the races, a handful of lucky people got to take home a huge pumpkin pie.

“I am so excited to go home and share with my family, just celebrate the holidays,” said Paredes, who went home with one of the pumpkin pies.

Favorite part of the Thanksgiving

dinnerEach person was asked: “What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?”

Charlie Vause

“I guess this doesn’t answer the question, but I think the best way to do it: You put everything on your plate, you drown it in gravy and eat everything.”

Reina Parades

“I like the sides more. I actually love ham, but if they have green bean casserole or stuffing — I love the green bean casserole and stuffing — and the pumpkin pie of course!

Caden Nunn

“Mashed potatoes and gravy all the way. One hundred percent that’s the best part.”

Isaiah Galbraith

“I don’t know. Just going to have family in town and going to eat some pumpkin pie.”