Tech Trek won by Santa Cruz man

A record number of participants competed in the fourth-annual Baymonte Christian School Tech Trek 5-kilometer, 1-kilometer and ‘tot trot’ fun runs in Scotts Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The 5-kilometer run was won by 43-year-old Chris Ratliff of Santa Cruz who crossed the finish line at they Baymonte campus in 16 minutes, 58 seconds. Ryan Gilliam, 47, of Scotts Valley took second in 17:08 followed by Miles Heapes of Santa Cruz in 17:43.
In the 1-kilometer fun run, Jonathan Nava-Campos, 9, took first in 3:58, followed by Caelan Gilliam, 8 of Scotts Valley, and Alexis Trefethen, 9, of Scotts Valley in 4:10.
A highlight of the day was 13-year-old 8^th grader Emilie Erickson walking a lap during the 1-kilometer race.
Erickson, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and lost the use of her legs during treatment, had ridden in a wheel chair during the past two 5-kilometer races, pushed by family members in 2011 and friends last year. This year, her mom Patti said, she decided to try to walk the 1-kilometer run with use of crutches and leg braces.
“She has been working in physical therapy to regain the use of her legs,” Patti said. “She was walking in the Tech Trek with straight leg braces.”
Emilie completed a lap cheered on by many of her classmates who chanted her name as she crossed the finish line.
Patti said the Baymonte staff, students and families have been supportive of Emilie and the rest of their family since Emilie’s diagnosis and she was amazed by how the kids and adults cheered for Emilie while she walked the course.
Emilie had a relapse in 2011, followed by a bone marrow transplant is currently in remission.
The Tech Trek and carnival following the event is Baymonte’s biggest annual fundraiser. It raises money for technology at the school. This year 95 runners competed in the 1-kilomter race and 233 runners competed in the 5-kilometer race.