You might be interested to know that Track Club LA runners comprised
just over 1% of the field at the 1999 Dolphin Run at Zuma Beach.
That's right, 13 of the 1278 participants train at SaMoHi Tuesdays at
6:30 p.m., and whether it is this training or something else, many
of them ran well this last Sunday.
Leading the TCLA pack, and most everyone else as well, Rachid Akif
ran a strong 10K averaging 4:58 per mile for a 30:42 finish, good
enough for third place overall, second in his division, and a new
Timex watch. Near the front of the women's pack, Jacinda Raiche
ran an excellent race, maintaining focus for 37:27 to finish as the
second overall woman, first in her division, and winner of a pair of
running shoes. It is, of course, arguable that one of those shoes
belongs to Jericho Enriquez, who stayed about two yards in front of
Jacinda for 9,998 meters, at which point he did the chivalrous thing
and let Jacinda take 44th overall place while he was the 45h runner
to cross the line. Shortly ahead of these two, Frank Siering made an
impressive debut at the 10K distance by breaking six-minute pace
(36:59; 39th place). He might have run even faster had he not been
pulled through a bit-too-fast first mile by another TCLA member
(who hung on for 26th place with a 35:16). Also cracking the top 50,
Steve Lopez stayed tough and finished in 38:05. Given the speed with
which he ran his warm-down, however, he probably should have broken 38.
Tim Peterson, who has looked strong recently during the Saturday runs,
ran 6:20 pace for a 39:09 and 72nd overall. Nine places back, but
second in her division (earning her a new Timex), Janie Lieberman
finished in 39:35. Mike Kukuchka, who barely makes it up in time
for the Saturday runs, ended up in 42:36, and was followed eleven
seconds later by longtime absent member Melinda Balbirnie. Lopping
almost three minutes off of his 10K time the previous week (take heart
Erica Nemmers), Ogie Espinosa turned in a 43:35. Finally, achieving
her goal of running under 49, Ellen Kukuchka finished in the top 25%
of the field with a 47:46.
Thanks to Stephanie Cahn and Terence Young for pedaling out and
cheering on their clubmates. Also, special mention should be
made of Bao Coleman who ran the 5K race after coming straight
off a plane, which makes his time in the 22-minute range
considerably impressive.
