Surf Festival: Teens pace Fitzgerald Beach Run
The Dick Fitzgerald Two-Mile Beach Run drew 180 competitors Saturday morning, Aug. 3, with Owen Franck, 18, finishing first in 12:56, followed by Ryan Burger, 16, at 13:33 and Dan Connell, 44, at 13:39.
Top female finisher was Sadie Wilson, 15, with a time of 15:54, followed by Mia Lerner, 15, a second later. Mia Ritter, also 15, arrived in third at 16:40.
The race started at the Hermosa Beach Pier, with the first mile on soft, dry sand, then after the turnaround at the Longfellow lifeguard tower, the way back was on packed sand by the water.
Namesake Dick Fitzgerald helped found the International Surf Festival when he was the Los Angeles County Director of Beaches and Harbors.
The annual Beach Run is put on as a benefit by the Mira Costa High School track and cross country teams. ER
Race Director Renee Williams-Smith addresses runners at the starting line. Photos by Garth Meyer