From competitive runners to weekend warriors to casual walkers, hundreds participated in the 17th Annual Murad Grand View Gator 5K Saturday raising funds for the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation.
More than 900 entrants completed the course that started and finished at Grand View Elementary School with hometown resident Scott Humbarger, 22, crossing the finish line first with a time of 16 minutes, 43.33 seconds.
Last year’s winner, Patrick Sweeney, was denied back-to-back titles despite improving his time from 17:18.70 to 16:45.75. Sweeney, 33, of Manhattan Beach will continue to raise money for local students later this month when he competes in the Hermosa 24 Ultramarathon June 30-July 1.
“I took the lead in the first mile and had a 60-foot lead after the final turnaround,” Sweeney said. “I ran hard up the last hill but he (Humbarger) paced himself and overtook me with a late spurt. He’s a good runner and I congratulate him on the win.”
After a fifth-place finish in 2011, 16-year-old Justin MacDonald of Manhattan Beach improved his time by more than a minute to finish third at 17:48.45.
A trio of Manhattan Beach girls led the top female finishers. Allison Doami, 14, placed first with a time of 19:59.73 followed by Alexis Lewis, 12, at 20:26.27. Eliza Lewis, 12, placed third, completing the course at the 20:43.52 mark.
Awards were presented to the top three finishers in each division. Following is a list of winners of their respective age groups. All runners are from Manhattan Beach unless otherwise indicated.
Males: Kyle Fukumoto (1-6, 29:40.16), Ryan Sprague (7-8, 23:11.27), Julien Peterman (9-10, 20:23.98), Xavier Miranda (11-12, Lawndale, 20:00.11), Chance Weston (13-14, Hermosa Beach, 19:10.22), Theo White (15-17, 20:40.08), Ben Kaufman (18-24, Chicago, Il, 25:01.11), Brad Steinberg (25-29, 21:49.42), Kevin Elliott (30-34, Redondo Beach, 20:43.26), Gino Nucci (35-39, 18:40.58), Ted Iantuono (40-44, 17:55.84), Jeff Serota (45-49, 19:58.12), CJ Olivares (50-54, 20:44.11), Ken Stovitz (55-59, Los Angeles, 21:50.48), William Goodin (60-64, 28:49.77) and Marty Friedman (65+, 21:59.93).
Females: Peyton Holcomb (1-6, 26:04.42), Hayley Bloch (7-8, Redondo Beach, 26:16.88), Cara Chittenden (9-10, 22:43.71), Phoebe Dunbar (11-12, 23:24.74), Sierra Andrade (13-14, 26:41.40), Julia Horwitz (15-17, 24:21.76), Autumn Bates (18-24, 25:40.37), Katie Cavallero (25-29, Santa Monica, 23:08.36), Lisa Boutell (30-34, 22:09.22), Megan Healy (35-39, 22:30.89), Nicole Fry (40-44, 22:35.71), Susan Sullivan (45-49, 23:14.79), Denise Winner (50-54, 21:59.09), Leslie Cohen (55-59, Santa Monica, 21:22.10), Susie Moon (60-64, 28:42.44) and Delaney Alonso (65+, 35:16.36).
After its success in 2011, a specially designed Friendship Course on the Grand View campus was featured to provide those participants with special needs (and a buddy) a shorter, more accessible course that offered breaks and fun activities along the way. Friendship Circle staff and volunteers were situated along the course to provided water, encouragement and assistance. The Friendship Circle is a program that brings together teenage volunteers and children with special needs for fun and friendship while giving parents and siblings much needed respite and support.
On the playground, city councilmember Richard Montgomery was one of the many volunteers helping the Friendship Circle children. It was a viable excuse as to why he was the last person on the overall-finisher list posted on the resultsbyprimetime.com website.
“I have been the council representative for Grand View School for seven years now and Principal Rhonda Steinberg will never let me miss one Gator Run,” Montgomery quipped. “I did not come across the finish line until the event was almost over. No medal for me I guess.
“It is such a local community feel good event. It never fails to remind us of how we are tied together for the good of our city and our schools. Plus, the 5K keeps us on the path for a healthy lifestyle.”
