Race Day in the Park

Sunday’s 33rd annual Palisades-Will Rogers 5/10K is sure to attract a crowd, both on and off the course. Since the first race in 1978 it has become the community’s biggest sporting event, as spectators line the streets along the route to cheer their friends and neighbors on. The 5/10K run will begin, just as it always has, at 8:15 a.m. on Alma Real Drive at the entrance to the Palisades Recreation Center. Firing off the starting gun will be Jerry Epstein, representing Saint John’s Health Center, this year’s title sponsor. Epstein has served as a Saint John’s board member since 1975 and is known for his love and devotion for his country, having served as an active member of the United States Air Force for over 25 years. He has also chaired several state commissions, including the Airport Commission, California Transportation Commission, the California Rail Authority and the California State Building Authority. The challenge for the expected field of 2,500-3,000 runners will be breaking the long-standing 10K records of Russell Edmonds (29:46) and Katie Dunsmuir (35:09), both set in 1983. It will be equally difficult to top the 5K marks of Peter Gilmore (14:10 in 2003) and Annetta Luevano (16:29 in 1995). Shawna Burger has won the last two 10Ks and could become the first woman to win three years in a row since Palisadian Kara Barnard strung together eight straight first-place finishes (five 5K, three 10K) from 1997-2004. Therese Fricke won her second 5K last year and could make it three this year. Ravi Arawansa, the men’s 5K winner, and Lewis Eliot, the men’s 10K champion, both won for the first time in 2009. Whoever the four winners are Sunday will be invited to ride in the Fourth of July Parade that afternoon. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division. Participation has grown in each of the last three races, a trend organizer Brian Shea hopes will continue this year. The 30th anniversary race in 2007 attracted 2,363 runners. The field grew to 2,537 runners in 2008 and 2,612 in 2009–1,562 running the 5K and 1,050 running the 10K. Presented by the Palisades Will Rogers Ridge Runners and Palisades Optimist Club, Sunday’s race will be followed at 9:15 a.m. by the 15th annual half-mile Kids’ Fun Run through Huntington Palisades. William E. Simon & Sons is the corporate sponsor. Proceeds will be donated to the Palisades Optimist Club, which invests the money back into community service. Race-day registration will be from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Rec Center. Cost is $45 for the 5/10K and $30 for the Kids’ Run. Those who have pre-registered can pick up their packets at Benton’s The Sport Shop (1038 Swarthmore) tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For post-race results, visit the Web site: www.palisades10k.com or log on to the Race Central Web site at www.runraceresults.com and select the Palisades-Will Rogers Run.