Annual trail event to be renamed in honor of Bill Flodberg
GILROY — More than 220 runners showed up on a picturesque Saturday morning to take part in the 34th annual Mount Madonna Challenge and pay homage to its late founder.
Bill Flodberg, the renowned running enthusiast who coached cross country and organized local jogging clubs and races for charity, was honored by South Valley Running Club before the start of the event. Flodberg died in March after being struck by a car near his home in San Martin.
Race director Allan Abrams tabbed the turnout at Mount Madonna County Park an unofficial record.
“It was fantastic, beyond expectation,” said Abrams, who earlier this month predicted around 150 runners would show up. “I’ve been organizing this race for three years, and it’s definitely the most I’ve seen or any (SVRC members) have seen in our years of doing this.”
Saturday SVRC also announced that the Mount Madonna Challenge, South Valley’s only trail event, will be renamed in honor of Flodberg. It comprises three races, with awards going to the top male and female finishers in each age group plus the overall winners.
Justin Daulton finished first in the 18K in one hour, 22 minutes, 15 seconds, and Erika Kikuchi won the women’s title in 1:44:42. John Burton (57:10) and Ellen Washburn (1:09:12) outkicked the field in the 12K, and Cesar Acosta (26:26) and Madison Lindsey (30:38) were tops in the 6K.
TOP FINISHERS
MALE
6K
Overall winner — Cesar Acosta, 26:26. Under 13 — Elvis Barry, 39:19. 13-18 — Cameron Carlisle, 32:47. 19-29 — 1. Travis Lovell, 30:36; 2. Justin Parr, 32:13; 3. Mickey Clements, 36:43. 30-39 — 1. Kevin English, 29:57; 2. Ty Snyder, 35:03; 3. Chris Peck, 36:44. 40-49 — 1. Cesar Acosta; 2. Daniel Ruiz, 28:57; 3. Shannon Farrington, 32:17. 50-59 — 1. John Kane, 32:07; 2. Bill Christopher, 32:27; 3. Abe Martey, 38:57. 70 and over — Bob Thompson, 1:05:57.
12K
Overall winner — John Burton, 57:10. 19-29 — 1. Steven Scigliano, 1:13:19; 2. Eoin Buckley, 1:20:48. 30-39 — 1. John Burton; 2. Joseph Bistrain, 58:20; 3. Sandeep Sandhu, 1:08:57. 40-49 — 1. Scott Barry, 1:08:06; 2. Ken Masterson, 1:14:32; 3. Oscar Flores, 1:14:43. 50-59 — 1. Jose O’garrio, 1:04.43; 2. David Romero, 1:04:44; 3. Joey Costa, 1:07:16. 60-69 — 1. Robin Dickson, 1:09:33; 2. Gerry Reynolds, 1:12:50; 3. Barry Rowley, 1:27:04. 70 and over — Mark Steelman, 1:23:55.
18K
Overall winner — Justin Daulton, 1:22:15; 19-29 — 1. Christopher Lundeen, 1:30:40; 2. Brian Baker, 2:08:31. 30-39 — 1. Justin Daulton; 2. Toshizaku Hosada, 1:23:38; 3. Jason Reed, 1:28:22. 40-49 — 1. Philip Oreste, 1:36:29; 2. Bruce Sudweeks, 1:38:10; 3. Tyce Mister, 1:40:56. 50-59 — 1. Joseph Green, 1:41:31; 2. Kenny Bright, 1:45:18; 3. Charles Weston, 1:52:20. 60-69 — 1. Lee Jebian, 3:17:20.
FEMALE
6K
Overall winner — Madison Lindsey, 30:38. Under 13 — Madison Lindsey. 13-18 — 1. Elise Ogle, 32:13; 2. Emily Costa, 32:14; 3. Kristina Chuck, 34:14. 19-29 — 1. Melissa Fong, 36:03; 2. Kristin Goularte, 38:01; 3. Danielle Hodgkins, 42:51. 30-39 — 1. Annie Lema, 34:08; 2. Amanda Kauffman, 41:59; 3. Colleen Buckley, 42:13. 40-49 — 1. Rhonda Brumit, 42:10; 2. Terese Bonesio, 42:12; 3. Rachael Lau, 42:24. 50-59 — 1. Sandra Sigurdson, 41:46; 2. Joyce Parr, 42:46; 3. Yvonne Duckett, 46:41. 60-69 — 1. Nancy Stevens-Brown, 43:19; 2. Kris Thompson, 1:05:54; 3. Shirley Bell, 1:24:16. 70 and over — Mayda Ubungen, 48:36.
12K
Overall winner — Ellen Washburn, 1:09:12. 19-29 — 1. Corrine Adkins, 1:14:12; 2. Annastasia Scott, 1:14:13; 3. Teena Friscia, 1:16:47. 30-39 — 1. Ellen Washburn; 2. Carol Mariaca, 1:24:09; 3. Michele Millard, 1:25:07. 40-49 — 1. Holly Harris, 1:18:55; 2. Rachelle Ortega, 1:20:19; 3. Julie Fergus, 1:20:43. 50-59 — 1. Laurel Posey, 1:41:56; 2. Sherrie Richter, 2:30:46; 3. Jane Behrens, 2:30:46. 60-69 — 1. Debbie Neel, 1:16:22; 2. Mary Massee, 1:22:02.
18K
Overall winner — Erika Kikuchi, 1:44:42. 19-29 — 1. Stefanie Hart, 2:06:24; 2. Kelly Mackey, 2:29:01. 30-39 — Erika Kikuchi; 2. Haam-Baak Shin, 2:40:02. 40-49 — 1. Catherine Jernigan, 1:55:16; 2. Terrie Fontes, 1:56:49; 3. Lien Phan, 2:01:42. 50-59 — Sandra Gillis, 1:56:40. 60-69 — Wini Jebian, 3:17:20.