Competing in the Manhattan Beach 10K for only the second time, 21-year-old Jose “Tito” Lezama was not only surprised to be the first runner across the finish line, but equally shocked at his winning time of 31 minutes, 56 seconds.
“To be honest, I’m real happy because I injured my back two days ago,” the Lawndale resident said. “But once my back loosened up, I was able to keep the pace. I really didn’t expect to win today.”
Lezama, who competed in the Bay League for Leuzinger before running cross country and track for El Camino College the last two years, garnered accolades from his competitors after the race, but the biggest celebration was held for the first woman to finish.
Redondo Beach distance runner Nathalie Higley, 41, captured her 10th women’s title at the Manhattan Beach 10K with a time of 36:51, outpacing Alison Atkinson, 44, of Manhattan Beach who finished at 37: 44. El Segundo’s Emily Anderson, 34, placed third with a mark of 38:41.
“I’m not happy with the time, but I’ll take the win,” Higley said. “I wanted to run a 36 (minutes) but it was close.”
Higley had won four straight Manhattan Beach 10K women’s championships up until last year when she didn’t compete. She broke the 36-minute mark in 2006 posting a time of 35:52.
Numerous male and female runners came up to congratulate Higley who has become an icon in South Bay running events and, despite numerous wins in various local races, Higley admitted Saturday’s victory was special.
“I think this year I’ll go to the beer garden for once,” Higley said of the popular spot at the weekend-long Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair that coincides with the 10K race. “I don’t usually drink beer but I think I can still do it.”
Lezama beat a field of more than 3,450 runners to win the 34th annual race and agreed with Higley that the toughest part of the course in on Rosecrans Avenue.
“Although the crowd of runners make it difficult around corners, the hills get tough by Sand Dune Park,” said Lezama, who had a year under his belt running the course.
“It’s my second time running the race but I took it easy last year because we (El Camino) had a cross country meet the day before,” Lezama said. “I’m unattached right now so I ran harder today.”
Lezama crossed the finish line at The Strand and the Manhattan Beach Pier ahead of Erik Steffens, 25, of Sherman Oaks who posted a time of 32:34, just ahead of Matthew Miller, 24, of Manhattan Beach who finished at 32:49.
Male runners winning their respective age groups were: Cy Chittenden (Manhattan Beach, 9-10, 43:48), Chance Weston (Hermosa Beach, 12-14, 42:26, Michael Goldberg (Manhattan Beach, 15-17, 36:05), Lezama (18-23), Steffens (24-29), Rick Weis (Hermosa Beach, 30-34, 33:07), Humberto Sanchez (Redondo Beach, 35-39, 33:49), Sean Sheil (Torrance, 40-44, 36:13), Jon Megeff (Rancho Palos Verdes, 45-49, 34:26), Richard Gust (Hermosa Beach, 50-54, 36:47), James O’Brien (Rancho Palos Verdes, 55-59, 42:38), Ed Avol (Manhattan Beach, 60-64, 40:04), Don Jennings (Manhattan Beach, 65-59, 48:09), Patrick Wickens (Redondo Beach, 70-74, 47:30), Frank Greene (Hermosa Beach, 75-79, 54:29), Richard Windishar (Manhattan Beach, 80-84, 1:06:19) and Chang Tsu (Manhattan Beach, 85-99, 1:41:59).
Female competitors finishing first in their age group were: Cara Chittenden (Manhattan Beach, 9-11, 53:26), Charlotte Monke (Clovis, 12-14, 43:51), Jenna Tong (Manhattan Beach, 15-17, 42:31), Emily Vaughn (Hermosa Beach, 18-23, 43:35), Emily Haigh (Los Angeles, 24-29, 42:33), Anderson (30-34), Heather Buchta (Hermosa Beach, 35-39, 41:49), Higley (40-44), Annie Seawright-Newton (Hermosa Beach, 45-49, 42:04), Renee Smith (Hermosa Beach, 50-54. 44:10), Nancy Wheeler (Manhattan Beach, 55-59, 47:04), Sharon Lotesto (Torrance, 60-64, 48:46), Berit Shipman (Portland, OR, 65-59, 53:22), Mary Elwell (Palos Verdes, 70-74, 1:02:15), Greta Jones (Torrance, 75-79, 1:22:09) and Virginia Gossard (Manhattan Beach, 80-84, 1:29:47.
