Pixley, Jim take top honors in Club Elan 5K Fun Run

Steve Pixley and Noriko Jim were the most fleet afoot on Saturday afternoon, as the duo was the first to finish in the men’s and women’s open divisions, respectively during the Club Elan at the Hyatt 5km Fun Run at the American Memorial Park.

Pixley completed the course in 24:16 to take the men’s crown, but he was chased by second place finisher Jang Chang, who crossed the line at 25:07, while third place finisher Aguinaldo Tesado checked in at 28:53 after the starting whistle.

While the times for the many of the runners were greater than that of their usual efforts due to complications along the course, Jim raced around the park, through the marina, and across the finish line in 24:57 to outrun all of the women, and finished almost a minute ahead of her closest divisional competitor Dawn Hammermeister (29:51). Kanae Quinn of the Pacific Islands Club took third in the open division with a time of 37:03 to round out the top three.

The 5-kilometer race was only the afternoon portion of the day’s activities, as the children got the morning started bright and early with the Kids Fun Runs. Just like last year, Opal Northen was the fastest of the youngest runners of the 8-and-under division in the 1-km race (5:00), followed by Danny Auther (5:25) in second, and Max Braig (5:29) in third.

Prizes were also awarded to the top three finishers in each group. Veteran athlete Robert Jordan was the fastest of the men between the ages of 19 and 29, as he cruised through the course to finish with a time of 26:01, and J.F. Bader topped the 30-39 division with the fastest overall time of 23:42. Triathlete John Douglas put the skills of his strongest discipline to work by taking 40-and-over division with a time of 25:25, and ageless wonder Florian Braig (39:53) took the tape for the men’s 50-and-over division.

On the women’s side, Emily Gironda bagged the19-29 division crown with a time of 43:43, but Heather Morrison passed her by early on to take the 30-39 division with a time of 26:13.

Tuyet Nguyen ran to victory in the women’s 40-and-over division with a time of 39:52, and speedy Suzy Kindel reached the Micro Beach pavilion in 31:19 to take the 50-and-over division.

Youngster Jack Sharer opted to challenge the full 5km course and battled heat and exhaustion to cross the finish line in 42:40.

All participants received a race T-shirt, the full use of Club Elan for the day, and a post-race banquet at the Hyatt Poolside. For more information on upcoming events sponsored by Club Elan at the Hyatt Fun Run, contact Club Elan Spa/Recreation manager Vicky Benavente by calling 234-1234 ext. 25.