AUBURN, WA – The second annual Grandparents Race was split into two divisions for the first time – A separate race for both the Grandmas and Grandpas were contested.

What a terrific turnout in runners for both races that were held under blue skies at Emerald Downs.

The Grandpa Race had some serious runners signed up to leave the official Thoroughbred starting gate. Over 30 runners went into the gates. Ernie Hutchinson of Snohomish nailed the start and rushed to an early lead and held on to cross the finish line for the victory.

Did you prepare? “No! Nothing. I just came a running!, said Hutchinson, age 54, who quipped I might have pulled both my hamstrings. “I don’t think I could of made it another 50 yards. It was Hutchinson’s first time to the racetrack.

Alka Klinge of Sammamish was the winner of the Grandma Race as she skirted past her rivals in the 50-yard dash race while running barefoot.

Alka and her husband Duane came to the racetrack on a whim and had never been to Emerald Downs before. “I came to the track in a dress and heels and had to go back to the car to change.”

Her husband wasn’t as fortunate as Duane didn’t make the course in the Grandpa Race. “I saw a squirrel on the track and didn’t want to step on it, he said with a laugh. “I just totally fumbled. I went down bigtime.”

Alka said on the Winner’s Podium that Duane didn’t stretch before the race and that they were praying for him.

Alka said she will be back to defend her title next year.