El Camino coach Dean Lofgren to be honored at 4th of July 5K

The 23rd annual Village Runner 4th of July 5K is expected to draw between 3,000-4,000 participants. Photo

The 23rd annual Village Runner 4th of July 5K is expected to draw between 3,000-4,000 participants. Photo

El Camino College coach Dean Lofgren, left, will be presented the Running Mentor/Coaching Award at the Village Runner 4th of July 5K. His son Nick, right, was an accomplished runner at South High beginning his racing career as a youngster in the 4th of July Firecracker Dash for Kids. Photo courtesy of Dean Lofgren

El Camino College coach Dean Lofgren, left, will be presented the Running Mentor/Coaching Award at the Village Runner 4th of July 5K. His son Nick, right, was an accomplished runner at South High beginning his racing career as a youngster in the 4th of July Firecracker Dash for Kids. Photo courtesy of Dean Lofgren

In 1975, West High senior Dean Lofgren was marching on the football field as a member of the band. Running on the track that circled the gridiron was the furthest thing from his mind.

With the coaxing of friend Doug Todd, who now runs the elite Mt. SAC Relays, Lofgren took up running and enjoyed it. It was a move that not only changed his lifestyle, but became his profession.

Lofgren, a longtime, title-winning cross country and track coach at El Camino College will be awarded the inaugural Running Mentor/Coaching Award at the 23rd Village Runner 4th of July 5K presented by UCLA Health in Redondo Beach.

“With so many great coaches, particularly in the South Bay, I feel humbled and honored to be presented the award,” Lofgren. “What [Village Runner owner] Mike Ward has done for the community by hosting his races is such a tremendous thing for the South Bay. His events have inspired many to pursue athletic careers as runners.”

Like many freshmen at El Camino, Lofgren was unsure what he wanted to do in life. One day, Warrior coach Dave Shannon pulled Lofgren out of class and asked him to run for his team. Lofgren agreed and his passion for running began to grow as a member of El Camino’s cross country and track teams.

Lofgren began his coaching career at Cal State and was influenced and mentored by coaches like Shannon, Bob Larsen and exercise physiologist Dr. Tom Storer.

Ward, who serves as Race Director for the 4th of July 5K, ran for Lofgren in 1989, posting a 3:52 mark in the 1500 meters.  

“Coach Lofgren was a tremendous inspiration to me and many other runners and helped develop many great runners and championship teams over the years,” Ward said.

One of those runners is former El Camino and North High standout David Cardona, who has won the 4th of July 5K three times, including back-to-back titles in 2013-14.

Lipscomb College runner Kayla Montgomery, who is battling MS, will run the 4th of July 5K and presented with the Pathfinder Award. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb University

Lipscomb College runner Kayla Montgomery, who is battling MS, will run the 4th of July 5K and presented with the Pathfinder Award. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb University

Lofgren coached El Camino to State Championship cross country titles for women in 1990 and the men in 1992, and runner-up positions for the men in 1995 and the women in 1994, 1998, 1999, and 2003.  

His track teams have also done well; the women’s team captured the state title in 1991 and 2011 and 2nd in 1992, 1996, and 1997.  The men were 3rd in 2002 and placed 5th in 2001.

Notable runners Lofgren has coached include Diana Tracy, Shale’ Garland, Mary Akor, Maria Lopez, and Sharette Garcia and Kevin Elliot, who went on to USC and ran 1:46.62 in the 800 meters.  

El Camino male state champions coached by Lofgren include Cardona, David Haskell, Harold Young, and Tim Rozhorski.  

Female state champions include Haley Heinemann, Latoya Polk, Na’l Leni, Myshauna Alexander, Rukayah Bent-Mikail, Crystal Lizaola, Monique McClure, Liz Sutton, Jasmine Hall, Derion Taylor, and Star Thurman.

Lofgren feels the benefits of participating in athletics reach far beyond physical fitness.

“While participating on athletic teams helps students develop tremendous discipline, time management and work ethics, it also keeps them in the classroom,” Lofgren said. “We have had former student athletes go on to careers in medicine, education, engineering, law enforcement, fire departments, business entrepreneurs, and more.  Many current successful high school coaches, including Brian Tokuda [South] and Israel Pose [Torrance] were formerly my athletes.”

Lofgren’s son, Nick, was an accomplished distance runner at South High who recently completed his freshman year at UC Berkeley. One of his races was at the 4th of July 5K event, where he competed in the Firecracker Dash for Kids.

“We still have the photo of him running with a dog close behind,” Lofgren said. “The Firecracker Dash is a great way to introduce kids to running and competition.”

Thousands of runners and walkers begin their Independence Day proudly wearing red, white and blue. Photo

Thousands of runners and walkers begin their Independence Day proudly wearing red, white and blue. Photo

Also honored at the 4th of July 5K will be Kayla Montgomery who, despite having multiple sclerosis, has become an elite runner at Nashville’s Lipscomb University where she earned a Division I scholarship. She will be presented the annual Pathfinder Award and also compete in the race.

“I continue to try and push myself to defy the odds so that I can inspire those with MS who gave up,” Montgomery said. “I want people to know that regardless of what your situation is, it does not have to come out on top, and that there is always a way. Of course, having MS could very easily put limitations on my life if I let it, but that is something I do not plan on ever doing. I am beyond stoked about this amazing opportunity. I am so honored to have been asked to come out to this event and I cannot wait for this once in a lifetime experience.”

Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel will be the honorary race starter and Redondo Beach Council Member Jeff Ginsburg will be running in the 5K that has attracted runners from 12 states and will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Also appearing at the event will be celebrities Teri Polo, a Manhattan Beach resident best known for her role as Robert De Niro’s daughter, Pam Byrnes, in the “Meet the Parents” movies, and Blake Cooper Griffin of “Necessary Roughness.”

The race begins Monday, July 4 at 8 a.m. in Riviera Village. Following the 5K, there will be the Firecracker Dash races for kids ages 12 and under beginning at 9:30 a.m. with all finishers receiving medals. There will also be a post-race party at Rock & Brews featuring food and drink specials and raffle drawings. The race will also have a two-day Health and Wellness Expo.

Prior to the start of the race, there will be the Red, White, and Blue Costume Contest with cash prizes awarded for the best running costumes. All participants receive a 4th of July Run t-shirt. There will be chip timing, age division awards and cash prizes to the top three overall male and female runners in the 5K run.

Registration available at Village Runner, 1811-A Catalina in Redondo Beach or online at villagerunner.com. Entry fees are $30 for children and $40 for adults.

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