Posted: May 31, 2005

Athletics: Two Course Records Set at the 2005 Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon & 5K

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. - (May 30, 2005) - More than 3,500 runners, walkers and American flag-bearing spectators honored U.S. troops at the 7th annual Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon & 5K, a patriotic community setting that was host to this morning's pair of course record runs.

In his half-marathon racing debut, 25-year-old Jason Delaney of San Diego dominated the field, racing to a course record time of 1:10:17. Representing Movin' Shoes running club, Delaney bolted to the lead at the sound of the start gun and ran uncontested throughout the entire race, averaging a 5:21 pace. By mile four, the male chase pack had dropped out of sight as Delaney authoritatively pursued the course record on the recently redesigned 13.1-mile point-to-point course.

"I ran my own race and didn't have to go outside of myself much," said Delaney, whose sights are set on qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. "I also think it is important to give thanks to veterans through events like [the Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon & 5K]," added Delaney.

Saul Bautista, 21, of Los Angeles was runner-up in 1:10:48 and 36-year-old Juan Ramirez of Santa Ana rounded out the top three in 1:12:09.

Under clear skies and in temperatures hovering in the low 70s, 24-year-old Jen Montellano of Chino Hills captured the women's half-marathon title in 1:23:00. A former miler for the University of Arizona, Montellano averaged a 6:20 pace to finish more than two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor.

"Though the last two miles were pretty tough, I enjoyed the course and especially liked the trail sections," says Montellano, whose win this morning also marked her first post-collegiate race. 24-year-old Cheryl Smith of Aliso Viejo finished in second place (1:25:06) while Huntington Beach's Christine Appell, 26, was third (1:27:08).

Cal Coast Track Club members dominated the 5K race, sweeping the men's and women's titles. Martin Pennell, 28, of Huntington Beach and masters standout runner Ceci St. Geme, 42, of Newport Beach ran 15:56 and 17:15 respectively. St. Geme's time was a course record, shattering the previous record of 17:48 set by Dolly Ginter in 2002.

The Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon & 5K weekend of events kicked off with a Family Expo on Sunday, which featured health booths, entertainment, kids races and the popular Bed Race, and resumed Monday morning with special memorial tributes, the Half Marathon and the 5K. The event raised funds for the Saddleback Memorial Heart Institute and The Ray of Life Foundation.

Complete results available at: www.MemorialHalfMarathon.com.

7th Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon - Laguna Hills, CA, Monday, May 30, 2005

MEN
1) Jason Delaney, San Diego, 1:10:17, course record 
2) Sal Bautista, Los Angeles, 1:10:48
3) Juan Ramirez, Santa Ana, 1:12:09

WOMEN
1) Jen Montellano, Chino Hills, 1:23:00 
2) Cheryl Smith, Aliso Viejo, 1:25:06
3) Christine Appell, Huntington Beach, 1:27:08 

MEN - 5K
1) Martin Pennell, Huntington Beach, 15:56 

WOMEN - 5K
1) Ceci St. Geme, 42, Newport Beach, 17:15, course record

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.