More than 3,500 people from ages nine to 92 participated in the 36th running of the Manhattan Beach 10K Saturday morning with familiar faces celebrating at the finish line.
Tito Lezama, 23, of Gardena and Nathalie Higley, 43, of Redondo Beach won the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, for the third consecutive year.
Lezama led the field with a time of 32 minutes, 29 seconds beating David Rosales, 21, of San Pedro by exactly one minute.
Matthew Miller, 26, of Manhattan Beach placed third with a mark of 33:38.
Higley’s time of 37:35 bested Susan Hoffman, 52, of Manhattan Beach (38:24) and Meagan Costello, 32, of Hermosa Beach (38:28). The win marked the 12th Manhattan Beach 10K title for Higley.
Although Vistamar High School junior Lily Zino, of Redondo Beach, won the women’s 15-17 age group, Mira Costa runners dominated the boys and girls competition in the same age divisions.
Normally running a 3-mile course, the Mustang cross country teams remain in their hometown for the annual event.
“We love the Manhattan 10K,” said Mira Costa girls cross country coach Renee Williams-Smith. “It is a local event that many of the kids have participated in prior to high school. A tradition that coach (Bob) Fish started is that we sign up, put on our numbers, and do a workout with in the 6.2 miles so that the kids get to participate and yet not race that long of a distance. Most of the kids are working at one of the booths at the fair later on in the day. This way they get to stay in town and still support and be a part of a really fun community event.”
Founded in 1978 by a group of local runners wanting to have an “in town” race, the Manhattan Beach 10K is a true community event.
Organizers believe it is the only running race in the top 100 in the nation that does not have a corporate sponsor. With the help of volunteers, proceeds are returned to the community in the form of scholarships to high school seniors living in Manhattan Beach and to various enhancements to the recreation facilities of local schools and parks.
“The race has always been a partnership between the City of Manhattan Beach and the volunteer Race Committee with a lot of support of local volunteers, Manhattan Beach 10K Race Director Rachel Judson said. “This partnership helps keep the race true to its original ‘community event concept’… that concept has been infectious since the start of the race and the enthusiasm continues through local pride, love of community and, of course, a beautiful place to run.”
Male winners in their respective age groups included: Billy Atkinson (Manhattan Beach, 9-11, 45:13), Scott Healy (Hermosa Beach, 12-14, 39:35), Brandon Shirazi (Manhattan Beach, 15-17, 35:21), Lezama (18-23), Miller (24-29), Patrick Sweeney (Manhattan Beach, 30-34, 35:39), Rick Weiss (El Segundo, 35-39, 34:27), Joaquin Hartman (Manhattan Beach, 40-44, 39:08), Ted Iantuono (Manhattan Beach, 45-49, 38:30), Kevin Farrington (Playa Del Rey, 50-54, 39:16), Chris Miller (Manhattan Beach, 55-59, 40:36), Richard Will (Redondo Beach, 60-64, 35:14), Marty Friedman (Manhattan Beach, 65-69, 44:08), Don Jennings (Manhattan Beach, 70-74, 50:38), Stanley Howard (Redondo Beach, 75-79, 58:49), Richard Windishar (Manhattan Beach, 80-84, 1:09:43) and Herbert Harger (Manhattan Beach, 85-89, 1:26:20).
Female division winners included: Sofia Franck (Manhattan Beach, 9-11, 44:59), Charlotte Monke (Clovis, 12-14, 44:59), Zino (15-17), Emily Vaughn (Hermosa Beach, 18-22, 42:13), Alison Kielty (Torrance, 24-29, 39:10), Costello (30-34), Karen Edmonston (Redondo Beach, 35-39, 39:04), Higley (40-44), Lisa Herman (Manhattan Beach, 45-49, 40:14), Hoffman (50-54), Julia Fretschi (Hermosa Beach, 55-59, 50:17), Sharon Lotesto (Torrance, 60-64, 46:59), Patricia Peterson (Manhattan Beach, 65-69, 45:31), Amy Galbraith (Venice, 70-74, 1:04:10), Joann bally (Redondo Beach, 75-79, 1:31:43), Virginia Gossard (Manhattan Beach, 80-84, 1:33:17) and Miyoko O’Hara (Rancho Palos Verdes, 85-89, 1:42:04).
Complete results are available at runraceresults.com.
