Laguna Niguel News
www.myoc.com/lagunaniguel An Orange County Register publication Thursday, May 30, 2002
MIKE SCHWARTZ/For The NewsMEDAL WINNERS: Michelle Barton shows off her finisher's medal after comparing medals with her daughter Sierra and her father Doug Malewicki at the Flo-Jo Half Marathon, Sunday.
A family on the run
COMMUNITY: 3 generations make a day of it at the Flo-Jo race.By CATRINE JOHANSSON
The NewsOne family's ties were celebrated during the Flo-Jo Half Marathon over Memorial Day weekend. Three generations of the Malewicki/Barton family ran their hearts out - each to his or her ability.
Sierra Barton, 2, was first out. She participated in Sunday's Diaper Dash.
Five children at a time ran about 75 yards. "Everybody else got about half-way before she decided to get going," said Doug Malewicki, grandfather. “But she caught up with them.”
This was Sierra's first running competition, but she runs all the time with her mother, Michelle Barton and her grandfather. The trio has a Tuesday tradition where Malewicki comes down from his Irvine home to the Barton Laguna Niguel home and all three of them go running on the trails behind the house on Highlands Avenue.
“She's so cute” Malewicki said about Sierra. "She has a really good stride and can run for about half a mile." Then she gets back into her mother's stroller or stops to pet dogs, pick flowers or play hide-and-seek.
Although the running is fun-and-games for Sierra, it's a serious hobby for Michelle, 31 and Malewicki, 63.
They often compete in the same races - but never against each other. “I don't want to be held back,” Michelle said. “I want to try to beat my own time.” Malewicki thinks it's "awesome" that his daughter consistently beats him in races. “At my age, I'm just happy I can still be out there and have fun doing it” Malewicki said.Please see FLO-JO Page 3
MIKE SCHWARTZ/For The NewsDIAPER DASH: Sierra Barton, 2, runs the Diaper Dash course while her mother. Michelle, cheers in the background at the Flo-Jo Memorial Half Marathon and 5K.
Flo-Jo
FROM 1True to tradition, Michelle beat Malewicki at Monday's half marathon.
She finished in one hour and 42 minutes. Malewicki finished in one hour and 55 minutes.
“He did well for his age group,” Michelle said.
Although Michelle has only run for about three years, she's done outdoor activities all her life.
Her father filled her childhood with hiking trips to Yosemite National Park and hiking trips along the coast.
“My dad inspired me to raise my daughter with lots of those activities too,” Michelle said.
Malewicki can see the results in his grand daughter.
“She always runs,” Malewicki said. “She thinks that's what people do.”
