Super Bowl Sunday 10k
Redondo Beach, CA - Jan. 26, 2003     T   P   R   S   		San Diego Street Elite
The Superbowl Sunday 10k, an annual favorite, took place on Sunday, January 26, 2003 in Redondo Beach. The weather was clear and unseasonably mild, with temperatures around 60 degrees and a slight wind for the 7:30am start. The 5k and 10k runs are one of the largest in southern California. Over 150 competitors participated in the skate.

The course was exactly the same as in previous years. It started just north of the Redondo Pier and headed north along Harbor Blvd. There was an uphill as the course looped inland and then south. Looping back at the south end in Torrance, it returned to a coastal street above the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Passing the Redondo Pier, there was a nice downhill just before the finish line.

Some of the usual suspects were missing this year, but other faces replaced them, which made for a different race. The start was fast, but not exceedingly so, so there were quite a few skaters at the front after the first mile. Those in the lead pack finally broke off from the rest of the skaters going up the series of gradual hills over the next half mile.

Among the men, the action didn't happen until the southern end where there were many turns in the course. Members from Team Safe turned up the heat and powered through at full speed. This reduced the lead pack down to four skaters: Chris Adams and three from Team Safe.

Towards the end, Team Safe put on the strategies to ensure a victory. Scott Wolf went off on a very early sprint. Chris Adams had no choice but to pursue. Then Troy Atwell blasted by them both for the win. In the final sprint, Scott came in second and Phillip Mullin third to sweep the podium for Team Safe.

For the women, the battle was between Aimee Printzen, last year's winner, and Peggy Girgenti. Both were in the lead pack with the men for most of the race. As the men put on their sprint strategies, endurance was the test. However, Peggy Girgenti was able hold off Aimee for the victory.

Once again, San Diego Street Elite had more members participating at this event than any other team. Award-winning finishers include:

    Carl Yee - 3rd place age
    Cathy McCormick - 3rd place age
    Gordon Pfeifer - 2nd place age
    Howard Yeh - 3rd place age
    Ivan Lebedev - 2nd place age
    LiNeal Pelton - 1st place age
    Luis Illanes - 1st place age
    Pat McCormick - 1st place age
    Wendy Holbert - 3rd place age

Additionally, Andy, Duane, and Maryanne finished a close fourth in their age groups. Congratulations!

Howard
SDSE-IR

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