Former North High School and El Camino College distance runner David Cardona and highly accomplished Redondo Beach runner Nathalie Higley captured the men’s and women’s championships at the 20th annual Village Runner 4th of July 5K Thursday morning in Riviera Village.
Only three seconds separated the first three finishers with Cardona, 21, crossing the finish line first at 16 minutes, 12.4 seconds edging Redondo Beach’s Justin Cross (16:14.8) and South Gate’s Oswaldo Hurtado (16:15.0).
“The race was more competitive this year,” said Cardona, who now runs for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “It felt humid and this made the race harder for me. The rolling hills midway in the race were quite a challenge. I’m happy for the victory as my friends and co-workers got to cheer me on. I am spending this summer working at Village Runner here in Riviera Village.”
Winning times were slower than last year, possibly because of weather conditions. Aaron Sharp won last year’s race with a time of 14:45.4. After winning the event in 2011, Cardona placed third last year with a time of 15:17.9.
Higley, 43, has won numerous local races and was the first female to finish posting a time of 17:38.4. She finished third in 2012 with a time of 17:33.4 behind Tanya Zeferjahn, of San Clemente, who used her long strides to post a time of 16:48.6.
Andrea Palacio, 30, of Whittier was runner-up to Higley with a time of 18:02.3 and was followed by South Torrance High School distance running standout Kimberly Coscia, 17, who posted a time of 18:26.2.
“I have run this race for 10 or 15 years, but I think this is the first time I have won the 5K,” Higley said. “My time was so-so but it is humid today.”
Congressman Henry Waxman, Representative to California’s 33rd District, served as official race starter for the 5K. After a short speech, Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel greeted the crowd that included more than 3,000 participants.
Former Los Angeles Kings star, Daryl Evans, and Redondo Beach Councilman, Jeff Ginsburg, ran in the 5K. After the race, Evans introduced the Firecracker Kid’s Dash and even helped a youngster complete the race after falling at the starting line.
Portions of the proceeds went to local track and cross country programs along with the Redondo Beach Police and Fire Departments.
Males winning their age divisions included David Zavarella (Rancho Palos Verdes, 1-8, 26:30.9), Lucas Schmidt (Redondo Beach, 9-12, 17:44.5), Nicky Lofgren (Torrance, 13-17, 16:30.7), Cardona (18-24), Cross (25-29), Michael Sevier (Redondo Beach, 30-34, 16:35.7), Hurtado (35-39), Aaron Morgan (Long Beach, 40-44, 18:48.0), Jon Megeff (Rancho Palos Verdes, 45-49, 16:41.3), Jose Ortiz (50-54, 16:55.8), Chuck Kaminski (Manhattan Beach, 55-59, 19:24.4), Barry Witler (La Crescenta, 60-64, 21:34.1), Marty Friedman (Manhattan Beach, 65-69, 21:38.0), Michael Moore (Redondo Beach, 70-74, 29:03.1) and Frank Greene (Hermosa Beach, 75 and over, 27:478.5).
Females age divisions winners includes Hayley Bloch (Redondo Beach, 1-8, 25:38.3), Sierra Sargent (Manhattan Beach, 9-12, 24:32.3), Coscia (13-17), Rachel Baker (Redondo Beach, 18-24, 18:34.9), Karla Albourez (Los Angeles, 25-29, 18:33.1, Palacio (30-34), Amy Schertzer (El Segundo, 35-39, 19:03.3), Higley (40-44), Tami Shalvarjian (Manhattan Beach, 45-49, 20:03.4), Marcella Persoll (Redondo Beach, 50-54, 21:43.8), Julia Fretschi (55-59, 24:54.5), Sharon Lotesto (Torrance, 60-64, 23:45.7), Sue Reinhardt (Rancho Palos Verdes, 65-69, 27:27.3), Madeleine Tarnay (Torrance, 70-74, 34:16.5) and Joann Bally (Redondo Beach, 75 and over, 44:34.0).
Complete results are available at racewire.com.
