Derek Alcorn admits he is not a front runner and felt uncomfortable on his way to winning the 37th annual Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K while the Long Beach resident outpaced his nearest challenger by one minute, 40 seconds.
“I’m used to having another runner set the pace for me,” Alcorn said. “This was my first time running this race but really enjoyed the course and scenery. There were a couple of hills that provided a challenge but it seemed weird to look around and not see another runner.”
Alcorn’s time of 33 minutes, 14 seconds beat Gregory Keyes (34:54) and Aaron Munger (35:05).
Former West Torrance star and Arizona State All-American Alison Kielty won the Women’s Division with a time of 37:27. Julia Budniak, of Los Angeles, placed second at 37:45 edging South Torrance High School senior Kimberly Coscia (38:01).
Redondo Beach’s Eddie Strand won the 5K competition with a time of 15:31, defeating Gonzalo Ceja, of Los Angeles, who crossed the finish line at 16:13 and Chino Hills’ Ed Venegas at 16:19.
Damanjot Haur captured the women’s 5k title with a time of 18:36, besting Keely Fillman (20:46) and Lise Skovbo (21:10).
Phillip Gonzalez, of Arcadia, won the Baby Buggy 10K competition with a time of 37:06.
Held by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K served as a fundraiser for the first time in the history of the event according to Chamber of Commerce President Marna Smeltzer.
Two dollars from each entry fee was donated to the Jim Allen Fund. Last summer, Allen, a longtime Redondo Beach City employee and Harbor Facilities Manager was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or “Lou Gehrig’s disease”).
“I’m so grateful for the donations,” Allen said. “I continue to have a positive outlook and that a cure will be found. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge held last year not only provided a great deal of funding for research but also created public awareness for the disease.”
ALS attacks the nerve cells that are used in voluntary muscle actions; actions that we can control such as those in the legs, face and arms. As ALS progresses, nerve cells degenerate and die, ceasing to send messages to muscles, which in turn causes them to weaken and waste away.
With no known cure for ALS, life for Allen, his wife and four children changed overnight. Although fighting through the effects of the disease, Allen is at work, continuing his 25-year career of public service, and taking things one day at a time. Additional donations can be made at gofundme.com/jimallen.
For complete results of the races, visit redondo10k.com.
