Kevin Pierpoint, 32, of Palo Alto, won the 31st Great Race from Saratoga to Los Gatos with a time of 20:03, or 5 minutes per mile, 75 seconds slower than last year's winner. Los Gatan Heather Gibson, 28, was the fastest woman, coming in 6th overall, at 21:47--last year's fastest woman was 38th overall.
The weather was brisk, under clear blue skies, at 9 a.m. Sunday morning as the race started in Saratoga. Crowds lined the sidewalks around the finish line near Bean Ave. on N. Santa Cruz Ave. to watch the more than 2,000 who paid the $25 entry fee compete, or at least complete the 4-mile race. The Great Race is the Los Gatos Rotary Club's biggest annual fundraiser.
The race was followed by a Fun & Fitness Fair in parking lot 4, hosted by Rotary. Boy Scout Troop 501 hands out water, runners pick up their official Great Race t-shirts, and sponsors have booths. The Raging Weasels, led by Rotarian Russ Klein, performed live. Community Hospital of Los Gatos, Runner's Factory, Whole Foods, Akeena Solar, and a number of chiropractic and sports medicine offices were represented, including Dr. Ellen Rencher of Chirofit.
Christian Degen, 31, was the fastest Los Gatan, coming in 5th with a time of 21:45.
Race Results
(Results as posted after the race.) Men 2-13: David Zarrin (26:07), Ryan Ernst (26:17). Men 14-18: Luke Galvan (21:00), Alan Menezes (22:34), Chris Ries (23:12), David Beam (23:12). Men 19-29: Sean Dundon (20:47), David Haefele (21:07), Alan Shelton (21:49), Chris Graessler (22:57). Men 30-39: Kevin Pierpoint (20:03), Christian Degen (21:45), Martino Poggio (21:54), John Madden (21:58). Men 40-49: Fred Haubensak (22:22), Shawn Gallagher (22:45). Men 50-59: Jeff Candello (23:09). Men 60-69: Jim Hower (24:30).
Women 14-18: Jessica Gonzales (26:04). Women 19-29: Heather Gibson (21:47), Tori Tyler (23:41), Jenna Hicks (24:13), Erica Sahli (24:18). Women 30-39: Melinda Dinapoli (24:05). Women 40-49: Tricia Kightly (26:50). Women 50-59: Honor Fetherston (26:07). Women 60-69: Pat Frank of Bloomfield Hills, MI (26:59).
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