Walkers taking part in Saturday's Gold Rush Run and Walk 5K include some furry friends.

CANYON CITY — A drop of the golden nugget into a pan signals the start of the Gold Rush Run and Walk 5K.

The Canyon City event kicked off Saturday’s ’62 Days festivities.

The winner of the event with a time of 18:49 was Nicholas Smith of Wisconsin who is staying in John Day while working for the Forest Service this summer.

Sheila Comer of Canyon City won overall for women racers with a time of 25:16.

Plenty of sunshine made the race enjoyable for the 25-plus competitors.

“We’re glad to do it and keep the tradition,” said organizer Hugh Snook.

He said the race started in 1975 and went by the wayside for 8-9 years in the late ’90s until he restarted it in 1999.

Snook is a former longtime Canyon City resident, now living in Salem; he said he enjoys keeping in touch with friends from Grant County.

He noted the entry fee for the race covers the costs of the event for race bibs, T-shirts and food.

“The purpose of the event is to add to community life and celebrate our history as part of ’62 Days,” Snook said.