Sergio Reyes (Los-Osos, Asics Aggies) and Clara Peterson of San Anselmo were the first man and woman, respectively, at the Emerald Across the Bay 12K in San Francisco, Sunday. The race served as the PA USATF 12 kilometer road race championships, and as one of the events in the PA USATF Road Race Grand Prix featured $2,900 in prize money. In addition to that, race sponsor, Emerald (Diamond Foods), had promised $1,000 to any runner beating the old course records. Not just the first runner to break the record, but every runner under the old mark.
Sometimes you feel like a running nut. (photo by Lynn Walker).
The men's course record of 35:48 had stood for 23 years, dating back to when the race was originally called the Hoolihans to Hoolihans 12K. The women's record of 40:27 had stood for 15 years.
The women's record was never challenged, but Sergio Reyes came within 3 seconds of the men's course record, finishing in 35:51 to win the race. The head of Emerald was on hand, running the event himself. Being very open-minded and eager to support runners, he ratified a new rule on the spot, declaring that any runner finishing within 5 seconds of the record would receive the $1,000 prize money. While both men and women's course records remain intact, a very appreciative Reyes goes home $1,000 richer for his stellar attempt at breaking the old mark.
Men's victor, Sergio Reyes (left), accepting his award at the Emerald Across the Bay 12K, Sunday in San Francisco. (photo by Lynn Walker).
Following Reyes across the line were Aggies teammates Crosby Freeman and Austin Ramos, both of San Francisco. Freeman was time in 36:46, and Ramos in 37:09.
In the women's race, Peterson won in a time of 42:20, with Kara June (San Luis Obispo, Aggies) a close second in 42:32, and Heather Gibson (Santa Barbara, Aggies) taking third in 43:25.
This was the twenty-seventh running of the event, which starts near Fort Baker in Marin County, crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, and finishes at the aquatic park near Fishermen's Wharf in San Francisco. Weather conditions were ideal for Sunday's race, with cool weather under slightly overcast skies. A lively expo with music, food, beverages race souvenirs and awards awaited the runners after the race.
View results for all finishers.
Report on the first event in the 2010 PAUSATF Road Race Grand Prix.
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