Grace Zamudio’s chin dropped in amazement after the former Loyola Marymount University distance runner was told she had won $200 for being the first female to cross the finish line at the 13th annual Village Runner St. Patrick’s 5K on Sunday.
“This is the first time I’ve ever won prize money at a race,” Zamudio said. “I really wanted to do something special for St. Patrick’s Day and I Googled races and this one popped up so I decided to come down to run.”
The 22-year-old Newhall resident broke away from Redondo Beach running icon Nathalie Higley in the second mile to capture the women’s division with a time of 17 minutes, 33 seconds.
“I liked that the course was flat for the first mile and then a little tougher on the second mile then downhill for the last mile,” explained Zamudio who had the ninth fastest time of the day. “The hilly part worked to my advantage. It was great seeing so many people cheering the runners on. I love that camaraderie. That’s what makes local races so special to me.”
The event was the first race for Zamudio who had not competed since suffering a stress fracture in her shin in September.
“I ran against Nathalie in September,” Zamudio said. “We worked together for the first mile. I felt good going into the second mile and went with my gut feeling to take the lead.”
Higley, 46, posted a time of 18:04, well ahead of third-place finisher Kaci Bacher, 43, of Manhattan Beach who finished at 19:31.
“It was a good effort today,” Higley said. “I am very satisfied.”
Kaci Bacher, a pilates fitness instructor, was also elated with her performance.
“I am so excited,” Bacher said. “This is the first time I’ve ever broke 20 minutes. I lost four years to back injuries and I now have a metal disk in my lower back, so I am happy with the results.”
Former UC Santa Barbara distance standout Juan Paredes was the overall winner finishing the course with a time of 15:23 in his time competing in the event.
The 25-year-old Los Angeles resident ran through the aches and pains from competing in the marathon at the Olympic Trials.
“I took the lead about a half mile into the race,” Paredes said. “It felt really good to win this race after a disappointing performance at the Olympic Trials. The inclines were a little challenging but the course was fast with a nice view of the ocean.”
Paredes held off Sean Kelly, 23, of Baldwin Park who finished second with a time of 15:44. Santa Monica’s Adam Henry, 28, placed third at 16:10 while running in honor of his mother who is fighting cancer.
“It was great to see my mom waiting for me at the finish line,” said Kelly, whose story was one of many inspirational moments at the race.
For many years, Joe Charles held his famous Push-Up Challenge at Village Runner 5K events but, after suffering a stroke in January 2015, was in a wheelchair at the last Village Runner 5K race on the 4th of July.
Charles continues to improve, walking through the crowd Sunday morning saying hello to numerous friend and well wishers.
Known as Team Lucas, brothers Tyler and Tysen of Redondo Beach drew a round of applause in a touching moment when Tyler helped his younger brother out of his wheelchair to walk across the finish line.
Although he has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, epilepsy and scoliosis, Tysen has participated in numerous 5K races in the last eight years with Tyler pushing his sibling though the course.
More than 1,000 runners and walkers from nine states finished the 5K including 85-year-old Dick Windishar of Manhattan Beach, who consistently wins his age group at every local race he competes in.
More than 1,000 runners and walkers from nine states finished the 5K including 85-year-old Dick Windishar of Manhattan Beach, who consistently wins his age group at every local race he competes in.
The day’s festivities began with a costume contest won by Manhattan Beach’s Cormac Carew who appeared to riding on the shoulders of a leprechaun.
Olympic gold-medal swimmer Rebecca Soni and Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel served as official starters for the race that benefited the American Cancer Society
Following the 5K, the Chase Stecyk Leprechaun Dash for the Gold featured the next generation of runners with Redondo Beach kids sweeping the three age divisions. Calum Dench won the 8-9 age group, Jack Wieman took top honors in the 6-7 division and Juliette Weaver won the 5-under division.
Males winning their respective age groups in the 5K were Mateo Figueroa (1-8, Redondo Beach, 22:55), Darren Lopez (9-12, San Antonio, Tex., 18:50), Nick Holyfield (13-17, Palos Verdes Estates, 17:13), Kelly (18-14), Paredes (25-29), Henry (30-34), John Tew (35-39, Beverly Hills, 20:15), Aaron Mungen (40-44, 16:53), James Reinhardt (45-49, Torrance, 18:37), Kevin Sullivan (50-54, Redondo Beach, 19:30), Robert Franks (55-59, Oxnard, 20:28), Perry Forrester (60-64, Topanga, 19;23), Jack McDowell (65-69, Rancho Palos Verdes, 23:07), Dennis Holderman (70-74, San Pedro, 27:28), John Merriam (75-79, Altadena, 29:03) and Dick Windishar (80-99, Manhattan Beach, 38:44).
Female division winners included Samantha Santa Ana (1-8, Manhattan Beach, 26:00), Katy Orre (9-12, 22:30), Grace Ryan (13-17, Torrance, 23:46), Zamudio (18-24), Katherine McKellar (25-29, Redondo Beach, 19:41), Lauren Hooker (30-34, Redondo Beach, 22:07), Tara Coppola (35-39, San Pedro, 21:35), Bacher (40-44), Higley (45-49), Karina Bird (50-54, Redondo Beach, 21:54), Anna Slattery (55-59, Idyllwild, 23:38), Georgette Gantner (60-64, Redondo Beach, 28:27), Sue Reinhardt (65-69, Rancho Palos Verdes, 30:55), Corrine Schratz (70-74, Hermosa Beach, 36:51), Frances Vanderstucken (75-79, 56:32) and Patricia Martin (80-89, San Gabriel, 1:02:28).
