Village Runner 4th of July 5K draws thousands

Legendary running coach Pat Connelly displayed Old Glory during the National Anthem before serving as announcer of the race. Photo

In ideal running conditions, approximately 2,000 participants kicked off their Independence Day festivities by competing in the Village Runner 4th of July 5K held in Riviera Village.  

Legendary running coach Pat Connelly served as official flag bearer before handling the announcing duties for the 17th annual race.  

Run With Us team member Jacques Sallberg, of Pasadena, was first to cross the finish line with a time of 14:50.1 besting El Camino College distance star David Cardona’s mark of 15:02.8.  

Jacques Sallberg smiles as he approaches the finish line at the 17th annual Village Runner 4th of July 5K race. Photo

Justin Patananan, of Palmdale, placed third at 15:29.0.  

Running for A Runners Circle Racing Team, Daniela Alonso, of Los Angeles took top honors in the female division with a time of 16:38.3. The 29-year-old beat her 2009 time of 17:11.3 when she finished second at the Village Runner event.  

Sallberg and Alonso improved their times while duplicating their victories of nearly three months ago when each won their divisions at the Santa Anita Derby Day 5K with times of 15:05 and 16:52, respectively.  

Karla Alburez, of Los Angeles, finished second for the women with a mark of 17:19.8 just ahead of Redondo Beach runner Kirsten Leeth who finished at 19:39.5.  

Lyndsey Young, of Redondo Beach, placed fifth with a time of 19:07.3  

Daniela Alonso checks her time after becoming the first woman to complete the 5K course that started and finished in Riviera Village. Photo

Local males finish first in their age groups included Brennan Megeff (11-14, Rancho Palos Verdes, 17:56.5), Cardona (15-19), Sean Sheil (40-44, Torrance, 17:53.4), Jon Megeff (45-49, Rancho Palos Verdes, 16:44.3), Rich Gust (50-54, Hermosa Beach, 17:32.3), Hugo Velaquez (50-59, Hawthorne, 19:27.8), Anthony Mnuk (65-59, Torrance, 22:31.1), Susumu Niimi (70-74, Manhattan Beach, 24:38.3), Charles Kuhenbeaker (75-79, Torrance, 29:31.7) and Rick Windishar (80-99, Manhattan Beach, 31:24.4).  

Top females in their age divisions included Marielle Kinney (1-10, Redondo Beach, 26:56.3), Michelle Kagei (11-14, Rancho Palos Verdes, 20:33.8), Ella Yuen (15-19, Rancho Palos Verdes, 20:54.4), Kirsten Leetch (40-44, Redondo Beach, 17:39.5), Debbie Richardson (45-49, Palos Verdes, 19:56.4), Noreen Grange (50-54, Torrance, 21:32.0), Sue Reinhardt (60-64, Rancho Palos Verdes, 23:53.6), Sue Hughley (75-79, Manhattan Beach, 43:19.1) and Connie Conrad (80-99, Palos Verdes Peninsula, 42:97.7). ER