Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

109 runners participate in Eric Griffin Memorial event at Forest Festival

Several children showed up at the 7th Annual Eric Griffin Memorial Run held on October 26 during the Gurdon Forest Festival.

To be exact, 109 participants entered the race.

Each year for the past seven Forest Festivals the Griffin family has worked hard to make the race a success.

Eric Griffin was a special child with Down's syndrome. He never met a stranger and lived his life to the fullest. He loved the Gurdon Forest Festival and children on all ages.

Griffin participated in many activities throughout his life including the Special Olympics were he won several awards. He made many friends through the Olympics and was an inspiration to anyone who knew him.

The Eric Griffin Run is a fun activity for children age's 3-14 to remember Eric's inspiration. During the race the children have the opportunity to compete and also to win prizes for entering the race.

The winner of the girls 3-5 year old division was Lexie Rutherford. The boys 3-5 year old winner was Brandon Beals. Winners of the girls 6-8 year old race were: first place Hannah Jones, second place Hannah Kuhn and third place Devan Jester.

Winners for the boys 6-8 year old group were: first place Jared Shaver, second place was Gunner Pennington and third Tyler Burns. Winners of the girls 9-11 year old race was: first place Candice Purdy, second was Shandie Golden and third was Reagan Renfro.

Winners of the boys 9-11 year old race was: first place Ethan Jones, second Caleb Jones and third Drew Griffin.

Winners of the girls 12-14 year old were: Chrisellar Thompson, second place Jessica Smillie and third place Christie Purdy.

Winners of the boys 12-14 age group were: first place Aarron Charles, second place, Wesley Payne and third place Trevor Stone.

Each year several friends, family and businesses donate time, money and effort to make the Eric Griffin Memorial race a success. Without the sponsors or the support the Griffin family say the race just wouldn't be possible.