Super Bowl Sunday 10k Redondo Beach, CA - Feb. 6, 2005

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.

Many of the big guns were missing this year, but other faces replaced them, which made for a different race. The start was at a moderate pace, 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.

There were several surges and periods of rest as the course made quite a few turns. A small group of skaters who had initially dropped in one of the sprints was able to catch back up. Everybody seemed to have taken their turn pulling. The lead pack was still ten strong, eight men and two women, going into the last mile.

Scott Wolf (Mogema) went off on a very early sprint through the last left turn back onto Catalina Ave. with over half a mile to go. Howard Yeh (SDSE) gave chase, but the rest of the pack was unable to bridge the gap. Scott and Howard worked together to stay away and then battled it out in the final sprint. Approaching the finish, Scott was able to find a better line through some rough pavement at the intersection of Beryl Ave. to take the win over Howard. Brian Talley (Safe) beat the others in the chase pack to take third place overall.

Among the women, the race for the top position was a duel between Jenni Armstrong (LA Speed), the defending champion, and Peggy Girgenti. Both skaters were in the lead men's pack. They kept an eye on each other and made sure that they were never separated. Into the final sprint, Jenni was able to outpower Peggy to defend her title. Breanna Klinger finished in a later pack for third place overall.

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

    Carl Yee - 2nd place age
    Howard Yeh - 2nd place overall
    Brandon Thorsten - 3rd place age
    Luis Illanes - 2nd place age
    LiNeal Pelton - 1st place age
    Cathy McCormick - 2nd place age

Congratulations to all. The Superbowl Sunday 10k is one of SDSE's favorite event and we look forward to next year's race.

Howard
SDSE-IR