The Little River Crossing at Moonstone Beach (with Camel Rock and Trinidad Head in the background) featured shallower water this year, compared to last year.

Race volunteer Richard Verseput, of McKinleyville, helped a nervous Kai Baker (in her first-ever race), of Sunnyvale, across Little River at Moonstone Beach. Baker chose to start the race an hour early so she and her experienced runner friend would finish around the same time. Verseput's other duties included shuttling shoes, socks and clothing across the river.

Benjamin Stern, of Weed, was the first male at Little River and placed first among men with a time of 48:31 in the 8 3/4 mile race. Brent Ritschel (following him across the river) finished as the second-place male.

A wet-suit clad Coast Guard volunteer at the river crossing gave a bare-chested West Wood, 15, a low-five greeting in passing.

Cedar Smith, of Arcata, was the first woman to finish the 8 3/4-mile race in 56:54 (19th place overall).

Crystal Mendez (left) and Chris Schinke raised a splash at the Little River crossing in the 8 3/4-mile race.

The Little River posed a quandary: wear wet shoes to the finish line or cross in bare feet? Hannah Davis, the ninth woman to finish the 8 3/4-mile race chose the latter.

Mike Dronkers, of Eureka, kept a video record of his 8 3/4-mile race for posting on social media.

Annie Lanning, 10, found a helpful and dry method to cross the Little River on the shoulders of her father Bryan Lanning in the 8 3/4-mile race.