Sports

Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills Announces Race Results

Scenic and challenging courses draws record numbers of runners.

More than 7,300 runners took part in the 27th annual Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills held March 24 throughout the streets of Agoura Hills. The nationally recognized running festival attracted elite athletes, recreational runners and even expecting mothers with families in tow from 36 states and 360 cities to celebrate running by competing in seven exciting races.

Both competitive and recreational runners found the scenic courses through the Santa Monica Mountains challenging with its hilly terrain. “While you’re running you think why am I doing this,” said recreational runner Amber Ruddock, 35, of Oak Park and mother of two young children who got up at 5:30 a.m. to join the 10K. “But even though the hills seem painful at the time, when you finish you feel very proud of yourself.”

Several races had very close finishes for both men and women divisions.

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Added to the traditional races this year was the Los Angeles Sports & Fitness Magazine Invitational 10K with two of Southern California’s fastest athletes coming in under 30-minutes–the first time ever for the Old Agoura 10K.

Top winners of the 10K competition shared $5000 in prize money. For the Men’s Division they were: first place Charlie Serrano, 27, from Newbury Park at 29:47:9 who won $1200; second place Sergio Reyes, 30, from Palmdale at 29:50:5 who won $600; and third place Ben Bruce, 29, from San Diego at 30:03:6 who won $400. An exciting neck and neck finish for the women’s race resulted in Elizabeth Blackwell, 28, from Simi Valley receiving a time of 36:14.8 and Erika Aklufi, 35, from Los Angeles a time of 36:14.9. Following was Liliana Hernandez, 24, from Glendale at 37:55.9.

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Nike Team Member Justin Pantanan, 31, from Palmdale was invited to participate in the 10K Invitational, having placed second in the 2007 Great Race 10K. This year he placed 13th with a time of 32:45:9. “It was a very competitive run this year and since everyone was near the same level of performance it made everyone push harder,” he said.

For the Chesebro Half Marathon the winning times were captured by Andrew Salg, 23, from Van Nuys at 1:13:14 followed by Skylar Mosenthal, 25, from Compton at 1:17:55 and Ryan Buetzer, 29, from Hermosa Beach at 1:21:00. For the Women’s Division, Cindy Lynch, 40, from Cardiff took first place at 1:32:19; Stacey Stern, 41, from Pacific Palisades took second at 1:36:52; Joanna Nygren, 33, from Simi Valley took third at 1:37:58.  

Leading the Pacific Half Marathon’s Men’s Division was Larry Blaylock, 31, from Van Nuys at 1:20:47, followed by Joe Nordin, 46, from Camarillo at 1:24:46 and Steve Berardi, 29, from Woodland Hills at 1:28:42.  For the Women’s Division capturing first was Elizabeth Bojanowski, 50, from Malibu at 1:34:32; Sarah Labass, 34, from Simi Valley at 1:37:43 took second and Gina Johnson, 38, from Sherman Oaks was third at 1:37:50.

Sprinting ahead of the 1,700 runners who entered the Deena Kastor 5K, named after the Olympian and Agoura High School graduate, was Ryan Zelada, 15, from Woodland Hills at 16:30; followed by Colin Anderson, 22, from Santa Barbara at 16:58 and Kristoffer Chacon, 24, from Lomita at 17:00. For the women, Huma Husain, 26, from Los Angeles finished first at 20:24, followed by Taylor Garrison, 14, from Westlake Village at 21:01 with Kelsie Garrison,15, from Westlake Village on her heels at 21:03.

 

Kids, ages 6–12, also took to the streets in their own 1-mile running event. Forest Polsky, 12, from Topanga came in first at 6:00 with Matthew Neville, 12, from Oak Park a second behind at 6:01. For the girls Hannah Ritz, 10, from Oak Park led with 6:36 followed by Grace Stavich, 12, from Westlake Village at 6:44.

Complete results of all the racing events at this year's event are posted at greatraceofagourahills.com/results/

Several thousand supporters cheered on the runners and joined them in Chumash Park at the finish line for a festival-style post-race party. Sponsored by Whole Food Markets and Dole Food Company, the post race party, voted the best by Los Angeles runners, included food buffets of crepes, pancakes, bagels, pizza, fruit, energy bars, drinks, and other treats. Participants also enjoyed over 60 vendors dedicated to sports and fitness, live music by Spare Parts, giant inflatables, rock climbing and games.  

Serving as a fundraiser for local education, the 2012 Great Race of Agoura Hills will donate about $100,000 to help support nine Agoura Hills and Oak Park schools.

The Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills joins participants, businesses and leaders in creating healthier communities. Businesses interested in 2013 sponsor opportunities should contact the Great Race staff at 1-877-GR8-RACE.


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