2000 Will Rogers 5K/10K
By Eric Barron
Hundreds of empty lawn chairs lined the streets of Pacific
Palisades as runners readied themselves for the 2000 Will Rogers 5K and
10K. The chairs remained empty during the races, but the streets
filled with over 1000 runners for each event. The weather was
mercifully overcast, and the starter's introduction was mercifully
short.
Those in the 5K were treated to a fast downhill first
mile, followedby a slow uphill second mile, and an essentially flat
final 1.1 miles. The race merits few words, at least compared to the
10K, but some performances should be recognized. Ed Olson and Angela
Brunson, she formerly of Team-In-Training, and soon-to-be of TCLA, both
placed 3rd in their divisions. Robert Newmark, on little training,
took 4th in his division, and Jennifer Sample was 5th in her division.
Jerry Himmelberg, coming back from many months of injury, ran so fast
that the mats were unable to capture his chip time. Michael Berger,
who showed up planning to watch, could not resist the spirit of '76,
and ended up racing. Finally, one TCLA'er, who felt a bit wimpy
for chosing the 5K over the 10K, eked out one place in front of the
first woman to finish seventh overall and first in his
division.
The 10K turned an adage on its head and proved that
what goes down must come up. The course covers the same ground as the
5K for the first 2.5 miles, at which point the runners head steadily
down Sunset until they turn into Will Rogers Park, and run steadily and
steeply uphill. This is followed by another severe downhill, and a
long uphill. Those still standing then need move only another 800m or
so to reach the finish line.
TCLA apparently has no shortage of
masochists, as a large majority of them opted for the 10K course.
Again, many TCLA'ers finished well in their respective divisions.
First to cross the line for the club was Rab Brown, 11th overall and
4th in his division. Tyrone Black was only three overall places back,
and Dave Kent, who had a little more gas left than he should have, was
similarly placed behind Tyrone. (The weekend training on the course
certainly paid off for this trio.) Bill King was 4th in his division,
while Brad Lusk and Brian Panosian (with a significant course p.r.)
both took 5th in their divisions. Clarence Smith, previously with
Team-In-Training, and soon-to-be with TCLA, finished 7th in his
division. Completing his first 10K, Joe Lohmar can look forward to a
faster time on a flatter course. On the women's side, Jane Lieberman
was the fourth woman overall (only 30 seconds behind the second woman)
and first in her division. Another gritty runner, Rikako Takei, placed
12th woman overall and 2nd in her division. Staying cheery on the
hills paid off for Sharon Yamato, who took 3rd in her division, and
Wenise Wong, who stayed mainly mute on the hills, ended up 7th in her
division.
Aside from the many club members in the race, club
members aboundedn earby. Greeting the finishers were race officials
Peggy Enriquez, Elizabeth Farnan, and Josh Flynn. Cheering the runners
along the course were Terence Young, Lawrence Spear, Stephanie Cahn,
Stephanie Enriquez, John Moraytis, Amy Aukstikalnis (who would have
been running but for the small fracture in her ankle), and Jim Spear
(who smartly staked out a critical spot on an isolated part of one of
the 10K hills). Also spotted at the race were several quasi-TCLA'ers,
many from the Thursday night runs at Niketown and/or from the LA
Leggers, including: Lana Atcheley, Bernice Balson, Steve Benson, Nicki
Broyles, Liz Buckley-Wheeler, Catherine Bodner, Merv Cooper, Lani
Eickhoff, Tori Engel, Fiona Karlin, Betty Morin, Ron Petelski, Raul
Ramirez, Graylin Rogers, Sam Spencer, and Tom Wheeler.
Special mention goes to Bob Mercier, Paul Anderson, and Syrena Bozung, who did
not let a little thing like a national holiday get in the way of their
Tuesday evening workout. Andreas showed up, too, but only to initiate
his young son, Jonah, to the wonderful world of track. Finally, extra
special mention and thanks to Peggy and her husband,Paul, for hosting
the club to a wonderful post-race party.
How the chips fell:
5K
Wimpy 16:46
Jerry Himmelberg 18:35
Ed Olson 19:09
Robert Newmark 20:32
Angela Brunson 21:33
Ogie Espinosa 22:00*
Jennifer Sample 23:20
Michael Berger 24:40
Lydia Salinas 26:40
10K
Rab Brown 36:40
Tyrone Black 37:45
Dave Kent 38:16
Clarence Smith 39:25
Brian Panosian 40:28
Bill King 41:36
Jane Lieberman 41:49
Joe Lohmar 43:06
Andreas Kemkes 43:33
Brad Lusk 43:36
Mike Kukuchka 43:58
Rikako Takei 45:03
Jeff Bernstein 45:35
Bruce Worrilow 47:20
Wenise Wong 48:30
Olga Korobova 48:52
Stephanie P. 49:09
Bram W. 49:11
Tim Peterson 49:17**
Sharon Yamato 52:13
Ellen Kukuchka 53:10
Cindy Bernstein 56:51
* Ogie ran the Village Runner 5K in
Redondo Beach, and claims his time is 21:59.
** Tim ran the Joe Kollas Memorial Run (7.4 miles) in Hood
River, Oregon.
According to his Popsicle stick, he was 13th overall, good for 3rd in his
division.
Go back to results page .