One year ago, Stewart Harwell stood on Harbor Drive watching thousands of runners sprint from the starting line in front of Seaside Lagoon in hopes of being the first to cross the finish line in the Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K race.
Harwell fulfilled a goal Sunday morning emerging as the big winner of the day by capturing the 10K title with a time of 32 minutes, 25 seconds in his first year competing in the race.
“I moved here a couple of years ago and wasn’t able to run last year but watched it so I was excited to be able to compete this year,” said the former UC Santa Barbara distance runner. “I love the crowd and the course with the ocean view. It’s a lot of fun. The hardest part was the last hill coming out from the pier.”
Harwell, 31, who runs with Club Ed and a few other runners from college, is preparing for longer runs throughout the year,
“I plan on running a marathon in the summer and in the fall,” Harwell said. “Right now, I’m trying to maintain my fitness and build a few miles.”
Harwell outdistanced Cory Smith, 37, of Santa Barbara who was runner-up with a time of 33:05 and Sean Kelly, of Arnold, MD. (33:20).
After placing second in last year’s 10K women’s division, 34-year-old Julia Budniak of Los Angeles improved her time by more than two minutes to claim the crown at 35:46.
“This is my last tuneup before the LA Marathon next week,” Budniak said. “I love this race. It’s a fast 10K but challenging. The hills on the last two miles just kill me. I like running it and plan on running Redondo Beach every year.”
Budniak was anticipating a day of celebration,
“I’m heading to the beer garden,” Budniak said while catching her breath. “Then it’s on to a Super Bowl party and time to relax. Since the Patriots didn’t make it, I guess I’ll root for the Broncos.”
Last year’s champion Alison Kielty, of Torrance, finished second at 37:386 and Rachel Miura, 25, of Santa Monica, placed third with a mark of 37:51.
Los Angeles runners dominated the 5K race with Rusty Sarhan, 24, winning the men’s division at 17:00 and Rosa Del Toro finishing fourth overall to claim the women’s title with a time of 18:21.
Nicklas Majamaki, 15, of Torrance was second among male runners at 17:48 followed by Adam Genovese, 36, of Hermosa Beach (18:17).
Last year’s female winner Damanjot Kaur, 27, of San Gabriel placed second at 19:31 while Nancy Meck, 43, of Santa Monica crossed the finish line at 20:12.
Reseda resident Franky Ortega won the Baby Buggy 10K with a time of 39:15, besting Humberto Sanchez, of Torrance (39:49) and Lakewood’s Jon Sather (39:51).
“The race is something that I had planned on winning several months in advance,” Ortega said. “I ran for my son Levi and my wife Vanessa Galvan. I also represented New Basin Blues Running Club and World War II Airborne Demonstration Team [based in an original WWII hangar in Frederick, OK] which I am a parachuting member of and jump out of WWII C-47s. The mask and cape I wore were made by Pedro Martini to reflect my Basic Parachutist Jump Wings and civilian parachuter status [gold color versus silver which is reserved for military credential jumpers].”
Jayme Hutchcraft, 35, of Pismo Beach won the Baby Buggy 10K women’s division with a time of 50:36, followed by Lauren Hooker, 31, of Redondo Beach (50:39) and Leigh Kotabe, 32, of Torrance (50:45).
Sunday’s event began with the popular Costume Contest sponsored by the King Harbor Association. Longtime winners Robin Charin and husband Mark Ferris (who met at the 1998 race and later married), served as honorary judges for the third year after they retired from competition.
“Hosted by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Super Bowl 10K is a coordinated effort with our city and countless volunteers,” Aspel said. “It’s truly a signature event for us which proudly displays all of the good things about Redondo Beach. Thousands of people; runners, walkers and observers enjoy our usually beautiful weather and enjoy the positive vibe of the citizens of Redondo Beach. It’s one of my favorite events in the city.”
Although runners and spectators donning Denver Bronco gear outnumbered fans of other teams, there were plenty of people excited about the return of the Rams to Los Angeles.
“I became a Rams fan as a young boy,” said Rod Killian of Redondo Beach. “I got a Rams uniform for Christmas one year and would point my helmet in whatever direction the Rams were going. I was heartbroken when they left but I had a feeling they would come back. I didn’t follow football as much when I didn’t have a team but I was ecstatic when I found out they would be returning. I went to the rally and when the vote came out, I felt like a little kid again.”
Hermosa Beach resident Erik Wendt has a renewed interest in the Rams.
“I was a Rams fan since a little boy but stopped when they left,” Wendt admitted. “When I heard they were coming back, I went out and got a shirt and jumped on the bandwagon. I look forward to going to some games since it’s nice and close right of Prairie (Avenue).”
Redondo Beach residents Monika Drozd Hoffman and Scott Hoffman celebrated their honeymoon by running the 5K the morning after their wedding reception was held at Los Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes.
“We signed up a few months ago after my husnabd asked me as a joke and I said it was a great idea,” Monika said. “I”m sure we were drinking at the time.”
While most of those attending the couple’s wedding opted to sleep in before the Hoffman’s Super Bowl party later in the day, Scott’s brother and cousins joined in the 5K race.
The Hoffmans are fitness fanatics who bonded in Mammoth while skiing and then playing together in volleyball leagues.
“We play tennis, run, bike, hike, try to surf/paddleboard, and everything else we can pickup,” Monika said. “We plan to run in the Sujper Bowl 5K next year. I’m Still thinking what outfit a first anniversary looks like.”
As the presenting sponsor, Kaiser Permanente always encourages its physicians, staff and their families to participate in the Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K/5K and. for the fourth year in a row, the Kaiser team was joined by interns and graduates of Project SEARCH, a program that provides education and job training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In partnership with Best Buddies, LAUSD and the Harbor Regional Center, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center provides students with three ten-week internships in different hospital departments, including pharmacy, food services, administration, and materials management.
“As an intern, I’ve become part of the Kaiser Permanente family, which includes participating in activities like this with our peers,” said 21-year-old Tyler Zuieback who is interning in food services.
“Project SEARCH has been a great experience.” Gavin Thompson said. “I’ve learned a lot of new things and have been able to do a lot of things for the first time – from my first job interview to my first 5K.”
Carson resident Tala Tausi, 22, is a Project SEARCH graduate who competed in a second 5K
“I love meeting new people, and it gives me a chance to catch up with my friends at Project SEARCH and Kaiser Permanente.”
“I love meeting new people, and it gives me a chance to catch up with my friends at Project SEARCH and Kaiser Permanente.”
Males winning their respective age divisions in the 10K race included: Beckett Schaub (Hermosa Beach, 14U, 35:59), Carson Bix (Torrance, 15-18, 35:01), Kelly (19-24), Alexander Gorney (Torrance, 25-29, 35:02), Harwell (30-34), Smith (35-39), Alan Grant (Long Beach, 40-44, 35:37), Juan Ramirez (Santa Ana, 45-49. 35:22), Ken Ernst (Mission Viejo, 50-54, 35;27), Rich Gust (Hermosa Beach, 55-59, 38:15), Ed Avol (Manhattan Beach, 60-64, 42;28), William Sumner (Newport Beach, 65-69, 44:29), Ray Tiberg (Calumet, MI, 70-74, 51:20), Patrick Wickens (Redondo Beach, 75-79, 52:15) and Dick Windishar (Manhattan Beach, 80+, 1”19”02).
Females capturing 10K age group titles included: Schaub (14 and under ), Chloe Masuda (Torrance, 15-18, 46:22), Ashlee Powers (Newport Beach, 19-24, 39:05), Kielty (25-29), Budniak (30-34), Emily Mitchell (Manhattan Beach, 35-39, 39:30), Catherine Honeycutt (Redondo Beach, 45-49, 42:59), Nathalie Higley (Redondo Beach, 45-49, 38:24), Kevin Sullivan (Redondo Beach, 50-54, 41;16), Susan Meistrell (Redondo Beach, 55-59, 50:19), Clarinda Keldrank (Manhattan Beach, 60-64, 53:49), Sharon Yamato (Playa Del Rey, 65-69, 54;21), Nikki Ridley (Manhattan Beach, 70-74, 1:25:22) and Mickie Shapiro (Costa Mesa, 75-79, 1:13:02).
Males claiming age division titles included: Kyle Chen (Manhattan Beach, 14U, 21:03), Majamaki (15-18), Sarhan (19-24), Chris Marckstadt (Torrance, 25-29, 19:45), Mike Paglani (Costa Mesa, 30-34, 19:21), Genovese (35-39), Nate DiPalma (Park City, UT, 40-44, 19:08), John Crosthwait (Redondo Beach, 45-49, 19:23), Oliver Gallego (Arcadia, 50-54, 19:10), Denny Nivens (Hermosa Beach, 55-59, 20:39), Dale Campbell (Huntington Beach, 60-64, 18:34), Roy Youngberg (Devon, AB, 65-69, 24;41), Linden Nishinaga (Redondo Beach, 70-74, 25:20), Vincent DiFranco (Rancho Palos Verdes, 75-79, 29:32) and Nathan Winer (31:13).
Female 5K winners included: Allyson Doyle ((Manhattan Beach, 14U, 23:28), Laura Guidolin (Arcadia, 15-18, 21:24), Brittany Balcom (Redondo Beach, 19-24, 22:37), Del Toro (25-29), Ewa Nossowicz (Hermosa Beach, 30-34, 22:03), Veronica Gathercole (Huntington Beach, 35-39, 24:44), Meck (40-44), Aileen Flaig (Manhattan Beach, 45-49, 22:59), Debbie Booth (Rancho Palos Verdes, 50-54. 24:31), Charlotte Senseny (Torrance, 55-59. 23:26), Nancy Salzman (Irvine, 60-64, 25:53), Setsuko Abe (Palos Verdes Estates, 65-69, 29:44), Corrine Schratz (Hermosa Beach, 70-74, 39:20), Colleen Golden (Cypress, 75-79, 49:40) and Eileen Staal (Redondo Beach, 80+, 1:01:14).
Complete results available at Redondo10k.com.
