450 runners participate in La Jolla event
From Brennan Lindner, Generic Events
LA JOLLA, Calif. - (October 4, 2008) - Excitement grew at the Coastwise Mile finish line on Coast Blvd. at La Jolla Cove in La Jolla when local runner Jon Rankin, an NCAA All-American at UCLA and sub-4 minute miler, beat Christian Hesch and San Marcos resident Brian Sullivan to win the inaugural event on Saturday in 4:14.8 to 4:30.2 and 4:31.5 respectively.
"This event is poised to become the stage for California's best milers to compete. It makes for outstanding competition, a great race and also a wonderful event to watch," said Event Director Brennan Lindner. The course traveled through the historic La Jolla Village and finished at Scripps Park at Jolla Cove.
In the women's race, Grace Padilla of Los Angeles also was a clear winner with her 5:20.1 victory over Adrienne Schumm and San Diegan triathlete Jessi Stensland who were second and third in 5:27.6 and 5:30.3.
More than 450 runners and walkers participated in the event, including local 8-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion Paula Newby Frasier (6:23.1) and Ironman triathlete / coach Paul Huddle (5:41.1).
Festivities began early Saturday morning under slightly overcast skies with the PETCO Mutt Mile as more than 50 runners participated with their canine friends. Preceding the run was the canine costume contest, which was won by a duo of basset hounds dressed in a cops and robbers motif. One highlight of the race was the 25+ baby joggers (both men and women) who took to the streets with their toddlers. The post-race Party at Scripps Park featured Kids Runs and entertainment and a fantastic view of La Jolla Cove.
A portion of the event proceeds will directly benefit the Scripps Park Project and the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA. The Scripps Park Project is a group of interested local citizens, whose mission is to "develop and implement a long-term comprehensive plan to preserve, restore, and enhance Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Park, incorporating extensive community involvement." The San Diego Humane Society provides vital services to animals and people alike through sheltering and adopting animals, providing positive reinforcement behavior training classes, investigating animal cruelty and neglect, providing adult and youth education programs, sharing animals through Pet-Assisted Therapy and rescuing animals in emergency situations. For more information, visit ScrippsPark.com or SDhumane.org.
Inaugural Coastwise Mile
La Jolla, CA, Saturday, October 4, 2008
MEN
1) Jon Rankin (CA), 4:14.8, $250
2) Christian Hesch (CA), 4:30.2, $150
3) Brian Sullivan (CA), 4:31.5, $100
WOMEN
1) Grace Padilla (CA), 5:20.1, $250
2) Adrienne Schumm (CA), 5:27.6, $150
3) Jessi Stensland (CA), 5:30.3, $100
Complete results and more at: CoastwiseMile.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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