By Duncan Nixon
Every Fourth of July, Lake Monticello holds its 5K Spirit Run and Swim Across the Lake.
Even though the Spirit Run begins early, at 7 a.m., turnout continues to grow. This year, 200 runners registered in advance, with many more signing up early that morning.
Most runners are out to improve their personal best or finish in the top three in their age group. A smaller group comes in with a realistic shot at winning the overall men’s or women’s title.
On the men’s side, that list is short. Matt Barresi finished second last year, but the 2026 race was his again. He has now won the Spirit Run 5K in 20 of the past 21 races. Barresi is a marathoner, so a 5K is hardly a challenge for him.
On the women’s side, the race has had several different winners in recent years. This year, however, there was a repeat champion: Sophie Farley, a 2024 graduate of Fluvanna County High School, again took the women’s title. Farley ran cross-country and track at FCHS and now competes in both sports at Longwood University.
The Spirit Run has always been a family event. Deb Lugar, who again won her age group, had 11 family members competing. It was also fitting, during the country’s 250th anniversary year, that third-year West Point cadet Campbell Michael ran this year and won his age group.
The Swim Across the Lake used to be held in the midafternoon. After several very hot Fourth of July events, however, it was moved to a midmorning start.
The event is an open-water swim from Beach 3 to Main Beach. Open-water swimming is different from swimming in lanes in a pool. Swimmers must frequently look up to make sure they are not drifting off course and making the swim longer than necessary.
It is quite a sight to see the swimmers splash into the water as the race begins. The strongest swimmers quickly separate from the pack and come in well ahead of most of the field.
This year, Cooper Dillman again won the men’s event, and Isabella Thompson was the fastest woman. Swimmers also compete to finish in the top three in their age groups, but most, like the runners, are competing against themselves and trying to improve on their best time.
