Los Angeles, July 13 – In a duel of past winners, Christian Hesch of Morro Bay outsprinted Sergio Reyes of Los Osos to capture the men’s 5K title at the 15th annual Keep LA Running 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, Kids Dash, Coastal Bike Cruise and Mayor’s Mile, Sunday, July 13 at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey.
Hesch, who had won the 5K in 2005, clocked a course record 14 minutes 29 seconds, 41 second faster than Bryan Dameworth ran in 2000. Reyes, who had won in 2004, was four second behind, and Derek Tate of Hollywood was third in 14 minutes 29 seconds in the fastest ever 5K at Dockweiler Beach.
In the women’s 5K Tove Berg won comfortably in 17 minutes 40 seconds, followed by twin sisters Sabrina Lopez, 18:31, and Regina Lopez, 18:53 both of Alhambra.
Fifteen minutes after completing the 5K, Reyes started in the 10K race, leading from start to finish and winning in a course record 29 minutes 38 seconds, 28 seconds ahead of Brian Livingstone of Los Angeles. Hesch completed himself the unusual double, finishing third in 31:23.
Daniela Alonso of Los Angeles finished first in the women’s 10K in 35:43, followed by Emily Mitchell of Hermosa, Beach, 36:34, and Christine Bolf of Los Angeles, 38:40.
Over 1,500 participants competed in the 5K and 10K runs and walks and the Coastal Bike Ride. The event raised more than $150,000 for its charities - the Pediatric Oncology Ward at County USC Women and Children's Hospital; the Harbor UCLA Medical Center Neonatal War; the American Cancer Society, and the L.A. County/SEIU Local 721 Emergency Relief Fund.
Track legend Mary Decker Slaney and 1936 Olympian and World War II hero Louie Zamperini acted as honorary starters for the races, which attracted many celebrities and elected officials.
Kaiser Permanente, Colonial Life, PacifiCare and American Income Life were co-title sponsors of the event. Other lead sponsors included LA County Federation of Labor, Trustmark, Benefit Vision, Delta Dental, Aflac, United Way, Law Office of Fensten & Gelber; Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Felton and Grant, Union Bank of California, Southern California Ford Dealers, Riley Marketing / Allstate Insurance, and Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke and Sherwin.
RESULTS
5K MEN
1. Christian Hesch (Morro Bay) 14:29
2. Sergio Reyes (Los Osos) 14:33
3. Derek Tate (Hollywood) 14:39
4. Daniel Rojas (Baldwin Park) 14:51
5. Justin Patananan (Palmdale) 15:44
6. Alberto Ramos (Los Angeles) 16:05
5K WOMEN
1. Tove Berg (Los Angeles) 17:40
2. Sabrian Lopez (Alhambra) 18:31
3. Regina Lopez (Alhambra) 18:53
4. Aimee Cavaille (Hermosa Beach) 20:09
5. Catarino Gonzales (Inglewood) 20:25
6. Lisa Ann (Los Angeles) 20:40
10K MEN
1. Sergio Reyes (Los Osos) 29:38
2. Brian Livingston (Los Angeles) 29:56
3. Christian Hesch (Morro Bay) 31:23
4. Leonel Avalos (Los Angeles) 31:32
5. Tomas Ventura (Bellflower) 34:08
6. Eric Heikkila (Santa Monica) 34:15
10K WOMEN
1. Daniela Alonso (Los Angeles) 35:43
2. Emily Mitchell (Hermosa Beach) 36:34
3. Christine Bolf (Los Angeles) 38:40
4. Lizzy Thomas (Los Angeles) 39:52
5. Luan McKenzie (Newbury Park) 43:24
6. Kelly Domaradzky (Northridge) 43:40