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In an event that attracts participants from across the country, a pair of runners returned to their old stomping grounds to win the 18th annual Village Runner 4th of July 5K Run/Walk.On a morning when people of numerous heritages began the celebration of the 235th birthday of the United States of America, it seemed fitting that a Saxon and a Warrior emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s division of the annual race that begins and finishes in the Riviera Village section of Redondo Beach. 
After a second-place finish in 2010, former North Torrance and El Camino College distance runner David Cardona captured the title in his second attempt crossing the finish line in 15 minutes, 19.4 seconds.
“I felt a little out of shape but it was a competitive field of runners,” the 19-year-old Cardona said. “I’m training for Cal Poly to see how I do there.”
Cardona was named El Camino’s 2010-11 Male Athlete of the Year before transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. As a state champion running for the Warriors, Cardona broke a 28-year-old school record by seven seconds in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:21.27.
Cardona had plenty of distance behind second-place finisher Noah Kaufman, of Culver City, whose time of 15:56.8 edged Justin Patananan, of Palmdale, who crossed the finish line at 15:59.7. Patananan duplicated his third-place finish of a year ago.
After setting a world record for running in the sand two weeks ago, Manhattan Beach native Patrick Sweeney placed 13th but admitted he used the 5K to a warm up for a more grueling competition later in the day.
“I’m off to Hermosa to compete in the Ironman,” Sweeney said after crossing the finish line.
In the women’s division, former West Torrance star and Arizona State All-American runner Alison Kielty held off Nathalie Higley for what she described as a surprising win at 17:17.0.
“It’s a fun race and the community really supports it,” the 24-year-old said. “I used to run it in high school but was unable to during my college years, so it’s fun to get back out here. I didn’t expect to win. I just wanted to run hard.”
Higley, who is nursing a back injury, said she was impressed with Kielty’s performance.
“That girl ran a great race,” said Higley, who finished at 17:47.1. “It was hard at the end of a long weekend of partying. I could feel the alcohol in my legs. I’m not where I want to be but I can’t complain.”
Tiffanie Marley, of Lake Hughes, finished third with a time of 18:02.0.
Local male winners in their respective divisions included Julien Peterman (Manhattan Beach, 1-8, 22:08.7), Ryosuke Sakurai (Rancho Palos Verdes, 9-12, 21:01.1), Justin Unno (Palos Verdes, 13-17, 16:20.6), Cardona (18-24), Humberto Sanchez (Redondo Beach, 35-39, 17:20.2), Sean Sheil (Torrance, 40-44, 17:54.6), Rich Gust (Hermosa Beach, 50-54, 17:37.0), Ed Avol (Manhattan Beach, 55-59, 19:34.7), Don Jennings (Manhattan Beach, 65-69, 22:46.5), Susumu Niimi (Manhattan Beach, 70-74, 26:02.9), Frank Greene, (Hermosa Beach, 75-79, 25:32.4) and Dale Keyser (Rancho Palos Verdes, 80-99, 31:43.0).
Local female age division winners were Jessie Weiser (Redondo Beach, 1-8, 23:36.6), Rose Becker (Rancho Palos Verdes, 9-12, 24:35.5), Kielty (18-24), Emily Anderson (El Segundo, 30-34, 19:00.5), Higley (40-44), Debbie Richardson (Palos Verdes Peninsula, 45-49, 19:12.2), Pamela Westhoff (Palos Verdes Peninsula, 50-54, 23:01.3), Julie Mckinney (Palos Verdes Peninsula, 55-59, 24:53.2), Monyean Acuna (Hermosa Beach, 60-64, 29:11.1), Sue Reinhardt (Torrance, 65-69, 27:04.4), Diana Weatherly (Hermosa Beach, 70-74, 41:06.6), Gerry Stark (Redondo Beach, 75-79, 44:02.1) and Kazuyo Callahan (Torrance, 80-99, 48:20.4).
