L.A. County Half Marathon draws 1,300 participants

POMONA - Cool, dry weather and a rainbow in the sky were all part of Sunday morning's inaugural L.A. County Half Marathon that took about 1,300 athletes through Fairplex and parts of San Dimas and La Verne.

Most athletes participated in the 13-mile half marathon and the Mt. SAC Heritage Hall 5K run. Some took part in a bike tour while very young athletes participated in a 1-mile fun run for children.

"This is absolutely perfect running weather," said John Parks, executive vice president of marketing for International City Racing, the organization the put on

Steve Wright of Fullerton grabs his medal as he crosses the finish line at the first L.A. County Half Marathon on Sunday. The race began and ended at Fairplex in Pomona. The event also included a 5K race and a bike tour. (Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer)

the event.

Organizers said the number of participants was good for the inaugural event.

"We probably would have had more (athletes register Saturday) if it hadn't absolutely poured," Parks said.

Sunday morning the weather cooperated and runners had a pleasant run that began on the grounds of Fairplex and continued through parts of La Verne and San Dimas including Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park.

The final phase of the race brought the athletes back to Fairplex and many of its features including the Pomona Raceway, the historic trains exhibit and the NHRA Museum before reaching the finish line outside the Grandstand.

Shortly after the air horn went off and the runners and walkers were on their way Mark Moreno of Chino was crossing the finish line.

Moreno took first place in the 5K run with a time of 15 minutes and 33 seconds - three seconds over his goal.

However, Moreno said he signed up for the 5K "just for fun."

Andrew Robsham, 26, of Pomona, said he ran to support the event.

His running gear made him stand out a bit among the rest of the participants in the 5K. He wore business attire including a tan business jacket, khaki pants and dress shoes.

"I'm trying to make (the event) classy," said Robsham who finished in 41 minutes, 55 seconds.

Carlos Handler, 27, of Chino Hills was the first runner to complete the half marathon with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes and 13 seconds.

Handler didn't register for the event until shortly before the run started. Three hours before completing the race Handler had come home from Reno, Nevada - via car - where he had been with a group of children he coaches in long distance running.

Handler entered the race but didn't have winning on his mind. His legs were tired after winning the Santa Barbara marathon a week earlier.

"I was just running for the kids," he said, adding participating in the half marathon was meant "to show them anything is possible with hard work."

The course, with it's hilly terrain and turns, is a challenging one, said Handler, who is familiar with the area.

Turns aren't easy "because you lose momentum and you have to start building it up" afterwards, he said.

What Handler appreciated where the people who took the time to stop and encourage the runners.

"They give you thumbs up and cheer you on. That helps you," he said.

Cat Dengate, 37, of Redlands was among the runners who used the half marathon to prepare for other running events.

The course was challenging but visually appealing with the views of the mountains, the still changing foliage on some trees and the all around beauty of Bonelli park and Puddingstone Reservoir, she said.

"It's a road race with a lot of nature," Dengate said. "I can't wait for next year."

Glimber Ayala, 28, of Santa Ana said pleasant scenery is good for him.

"It gets your mind off the running part," he said, adding that taking in what's around him lets him relax a bit.

Ayala was among the athletes who took advantage of the services offered by massage therapists after the race.

The massage to his leg would help relax his muscles and avoid injuries, Ayala said.

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, which was a partner in the event, staffed three medical tents with the help of more than 60 health care professionals and volunteers.

Hospital staff were at the finish line checking on the conditions of the athletes and providing Mylar blankets designed to keep them warm and help them gradually cool down.

No accidents were reported although medical personnel did see some runners with minor muscle cramps and blisters, said Frank Garcia, hospital spokesman.

In addition to goody bags and medals for every finisher organizers have out prizes to the top three men and top three women in the half marathon. First place winners were awarded $500; $250 for second place and $100 for third place, Parks said.

The top three men and the top three women in the 5K also earned prizes. First place winners earned $200; second place $100; and third place $50.

Plans call for growing the event with the goal of having a full marathon in 2011.

"The event has great potential. It'll grown and next year runners will be back with four or five of their friends," said Bob Seagren, the head of International City Racing and a Pomona native who went on to become and Olympic pole vaulter and one of top athletes in his field during the 1960s and 1970s.

As for next year's event, Seagren said the planning begins today.

Photo Gallery: Half Marathon