Young runners claim Manhattan Beach Roundhouse 5K
Celebrating their top finishes in the 14 and under divisions at the Roundhouse Aquarium Fun Run in Manhattan Beach on Saturday are Tafton Thompson, 10, Luke Plelert, 9, Ben Burmeister, 8, Matthew Cullen, 10, and Parker Stickney, 8. Photos
by Lynn S. Gross
Ten-year-old Manhattan Beach resident Tafton Thompson made his presence known to the local running community Saturday morning by winning the 10- to 14-year-old division in the Second Annual Roundhouse Aquarium Fun Run for the Oceans. The barefoot runner finished the 5K in 23:03, for ninth overall. Another 10-year-old with a stand-out time was Matthew Cullen, who placed second in the 10- to 14-year-old division and 12th overall in 23:49. Cullen was edged out of 11th place by two seconds by his dad Brian, 40. Henry Driscoll, 12, was third in the highly competitive division, in 25:08.
Tom Zannoch, (76), of Santa Monica, bolts off the starting line on his way to winning the Second Annual Roundhouse Aquarium Fun Run for the Oceans.
Another young runner whose time commanded attention was 8-year old Parker Stickney who won the 9 and under division and finished 15th overall in 24:28. Nearly 100 runners competed in the Roundhouse fundraiser, the first of this summer’s beach sand races. The in and out 5K started at the ocean’s edge under the Manhattan Beach pier and rounded a cone 30 blocks to the north, at 45th Street.
Young runners start with a sprint.
Former college runner Tom Zannoch, 23, of Santa Monica, running barefoot, finished first in 18:25, over a minute ahead of David Hodges, 17. Amy Shertzer, 36, of El Segundo, won the women’s division in 21:16. Roundhouse volunteers organized the race, Racewire recorded times and Drew Mitchell served as announcer and DJ. Sponsors included Chevron, Wells Fargo, Forbes/Corrales Coastal Properties, USA National Title Company and BBVA Compass. Prizes for the race and the auction came from local businesses, including Baskin Robbins, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Equinox, Guru’s Gate, Kettle, Landis’ Labyrinth, Murad, Old Venice, Starbucks, Surf Concepts, Uncle Bill’s and Village Runner.
Amy Shertzer, 36, of El Segundo, wins the women’s division in 21:16.
Results (top three finishers): Male 15 and older — Tom Zannoch, David Hodges, Bobby Sillman. Female 15 and older — Amy Shertzer, Andrea Yorn, Heather George. Male 10-14 — Tafton Thompson, Matthew Cullen, Henry Driscoll. Female 10-14 — Sara Gustafson, Mia Givens, Lizzie Osterkamp. Male and female 9 and under — Luke Plelert, Parker Stickney, Ben Burmeister. ER
Top finishers in the nine an and under division Ben Burmeister, Luke Plelert and Parker Stickney.
Tafton Thompson, 10, Luke Plelert, 9.