Weather cooperates for 23rd Annual Wildflower Run
Morgan Hill – The wintry weather took a breather this weekend, allowing favorable running conditions for the American Association of University Women’s 23rd Annual Wildflower Run on Sunday. Several hundred local South Valley and out of town athletes pounded the pavement in Morgan Hill neighborhoods and countryside, thanking the powers that be for lack of winds, rain and freezing temperatures. The 2K, 5K and 10K foot races proved to be a hit with the runners.
According to AAUW-MH volunteer Kathy Sass, the first Wildflower race took place in 1983 at Santa Teresa Road in Morgan Hill. Back then only 200 female runners signed up to compete. Slowly, the idea caught on among the rest of the athletic community. Last Sunday’s event had 515 entrants. Race proceeds go to scholarship programs geared for high school seniors to enter college or for those wishing to continue their education beyond the two-year stint at a JC.
Thirteen newcomers from the San Jose State cross country team won several top awards in the 10K. Jose Burrola from SJSU won the race overall with a time of 33:45; followed by fellow student Sean Dundon with 35:30; third place finisher was teammate Gordie Throne, finishing in 36:00.
Burrola, 22 said, “This is my first time I ran this race. It was very challenging and I got a PR (personal record).”
The female overall winner was Kari Ann Bertrand, 35, from Gilroy who smoked the competition by zipping past the finish line in 37:37.
“I’m happy with the race . . . however, this will be my last one for a while,” says Bertrand, who is ten weeks pregnant with her second child.
Erica Sahli, 19, was at Bertrand’s heels finishing with 37:42; and fellow student Tiffany Hall, 20 took the third spot in 38:27. The two SJSU runners ran most of the race in a trio with Bertrand, until she broke away. Sahli and Hall noted the lack of a horde of runners at the Wildflower.
“I’m used to running in races like the Mercury News 10K where there’s lots of people,” Hall said.
At the start of the 5K, children lined up at the front much to the dismay of some runners. “They shouldn’t be standing in the front,” one guy commented before the race. “They’re going to get bowled over.” The same runner ate his words when some of those kids dusted him in the end.
One such speedster was Ruben James (RJ) Collins, 10, from Hollister with his first place win in 20:25 and sixth overall.
“I like to see how many people would pass me. Not that many did and I passed a lot of people,” Collins said. His sister, Angelica Collins, 8, did her family proud with a first place time of 22:44.
High school students from the south valley dominated the 5K overall winners’ circle with male leaders such as Live Oak alumni Jesus Atanacio in 17:56, Andrew Taylor in second with 18:50, and Daniel Beckwith finishing third in 19:33. Female champions were Ann Mari Rich with a time of 20:39, Suzanne Hancock’s second place with 21:01, and Live Oak freshman Olivia Duran’s time of 22:07 overshadowed the rest of the pack.
“It was a hardcore race . . . so I kept within my pace,” said Duran, who was pleased with her results.
The 2K run had its young competitors toeing the line, including some tiny tots with ages ranging from 5 through 12. Joel Hall from Morgan Hill won the event overall with 7:42. It was his first race outside of his school and he plans to do the Wildflower again next year. Rich Thomas was close behind Hall with 8:06, and Alexander Richardson came in third with 8:57. The top girls were: Sarah Gilbert with 8:37; Katie Machado took second with 8:52, and Alissa Pham followed suit with 10:34.
The Wildflower is not only for the fleet-footed, but also for those who love to run ultra-marathons such as Jean Suyenaga, 39 from San Jose. She just did a 50-miler last week and plans to do another on April 22nd.
“The race was relaxed, although you get the adrenaline rush at the end towards the finish. The energy from the volunteers and other runners pulled me through to the end,” she said. This is coming from a woman who has run 26 marathons and four ultra-marathons.
For detailed information on the 2K, 5K and 10K results please go to www.aauw-morganhill.org.
