BEEVILLE – Former Trojan C.J. Rodriguez is continuing his love of running by entering and winning local 5K runs and doing quite well in some of the bigger runs in the area.

The Diez y Seis 5K run sponsored by H-E-B and the Junior Service League of Beeville was Rodriguez’s with about 1,200 meters left in the race.

“I just kept trying my best to keep the lead,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez did just that and out-distanced the field in the win.

The Western Week 5K was also won by Rodriguez. “It was kind of a little tune-up for my race the next morning,” Rodriguez said.

The next morning, Rodriguez was in Corpus Christi for the Harbor Half Marathon. More than 1,000 runners competed in various divisions with about 400 competing in the half marathon of about 13 miles. The run is back and forth over the Harbor Bridge and is a tough race to finish.

“I almost stopped coming back over the bridge, but I told myself to keep up the hard work, almost done,” Rodriguez said.

C.J. finished in fourth place at the Harbor Half and distinguished himself as one of the top long-distance runners in South Texas. He hopes to keep training and competing and is looking for a possible shot at an upcoming Olympic Games, competing for the USA.