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| Photo Credit: Scott Christopher Stolarz Photography |
Runaway Winners at 10th Saint Patrick’s 5K Run, Redondo Beach, March 3
Over 1500 runners/walkers came out on a cool, overcast morning to run 5K in an early South Bay Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration in Riviera Village, Redondo Beach, CA . The race was hosted by Village Runner Running Stores and sponsored by Hennessey’s.
Eulogio (Eli) Rodriguez of Whittier, CA, ran 15:04.5 to win by over 100-meters in the men’s 5K Run. Maria Castaneda of Los Angeles, CA , ran 18:227.5 to win by two minutes in the women’s race.
“I was never the best in high school. Every year I have improved and at 29 I am beating the runners who once beat me,” proudly stated Rodriguez. The course has slight hills but nothing too challenging,” said Rodriguez. “I just missed out qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the Olympics. Next Olympics I will be in my prime,” said Rodriquez.
Castaneda, now 27, is a late-bloomer like her Pasadena ’s Run With Us TC teammate, Rodriquez. “I took the lead today at the half-mile mark and pulled away. I liked running with the view of the ocean in Redondo Beach,” said Castaneda.
Many of the runners were adorned in full St. Paddy’s Day outfits with green hair or wigs, Leprechaun Hats, long green beards, funny costumes, Hennessey’s St. Paddy’s green beads, and faces painted with shamrocks. Following the race, runners filled Hennessey’s, H.T. Grill, and Mickie Finnz in Riviera Village for the post-event party.
The kid’s Dash was dedicated this year in memory of Redondo Beach ’s Chase Stecyk a child who died in 2011 from a rare spinal cord tumor. The kids raced in St. Paddy’s Day green shirts to honor his memory. These races were often even more competitive then the 5K, with a fierce sprint carrying young Katherine Jacoby of Redondo Beach to a win over the boys in the kid’s 6-7 dash.
Top South Bay Finishers today included Jon Megeff of Rancho Palos Verdes , second in the 5K at 16:25, Humberto Sanchez, 3rd at 15:35.7, Jimmy Kelly, 4th at 17:06.3, and Andrew Ratley of Rancho Palos Verdes, 5th in 17:07.1.
In the women’s 5K, local runners Kristina Fernandez of Manhattan Beach , placed 3rd in 20:35.3, Sara Bennett of Redondo Beach was fourth in 22:04.4 finishing just ahead of Roberta Clark of Torrance in 22:04.8 seconds. Matt Hemingway, an Olympic silver medalist in the high jump at the 2004 Olympics with a high jump best of 7’9 ¾”, was among the runners competing in the 5K.
Portions of the proceeds from the race go to local schools and the Firefighters Relief Fund. The race was an official LA Marathon warm-up event. Our race numbers this year were up over 10% this year,” said Race Director and Village Runner owner, Mike Ward. Village Runner Racing also hosts the upcoming 20th annual 4th of July 5K Run.
By Don Franken
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Race photos are now available at Scott Christopher Stolarz Photography
Race results are available here
Race results are available here
We’ve also posted some photos from the festivities to our official race Facebook page here
Slow Motion Video of runners taken by our friends at Positive Energy Physical Therapy:
Slow Motion Video of the second place finisher:
Last but not least, Hennessey’s, Mickie Finz, and HT Grill is extending their offers from race weekend through St. Patrick’s Day. Please see the deals below and support your local small businesses!
