Chasing the clouds away

Bryce Alderton

A cold and blustery wind swept through Huntington Beach under a sky

blanketed by gray clouds, but the runners and walkers were not swayed

from their purpose.

Runners of all abilities came out by the thousands to take part in the

sixth annual McKenna Volkswagen Pacific Shoreline Marathon on Sunday.

More than 5,300 runners entered the race and 4,502 finished -- an

increase from last year despite the weather, said race officials.

“The course was great, it was well-marked, people were telling you

where to go and it was right along the ocean,” said Don Rabjohn, a

33-year-old Van Nuys resident who did the 5K run on Sunday.

Many ran on Sunday in preparation for the Los Angeles Marathon on

March 3.

“It’s a training race for the [Los Angeles] marathon,” Rabjohn said.

Sunday’s race was also a warmup for Chino resident Teresa

Vega-Velarde, who won the women’s half-marathon with a time of 1:23:38.

She is trying to qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials in 2004 and was

all smiles holding her miniature wooden surfboard trophy.

“I’m excited, it’s my third year doing the race but first time winning

it,” Vega-Velarde said.

Whether runners won or lost there was a reward waiting for them at the

end of the race. A beer garden was available for runners to grab a cold

one after they finished their race. It is the first time Surf City has

sponsored the popular end attraction. “Beer afterward is a very nice

touch,” said Margaret Graham, who enjoyed a brew after she completed her

5K run.

About 40 Huntington Beach Police officers were out in force Sunday to

control traffic, secure the race course and handle any emergencies, said

Lt. Dan Johnson who was working his second Pacific Shoreline Marathon.

As for the beer garden, Johnson said he didn’t know what to expect but

said things ran smoothly.

“People cooperated, there were no problems at all except for a few

medical aides,” Johnson said. “But it’s not the greatest weather to sit

outside and drink a beer.”

In the lead Sunday were Brea resident, Kevin Broady, who captured the

men’s half-marathon title with a time of 1:09:53 while Edith Martinez,

34, also from Brea, ran to victory in 3:06:20 in the women’s marathon.

Gilbert Salazar, 29 of Long Beach, won the men’s marathon for the

second time with a time of 2:37:11.

He won the marathon in 2000 running the 26.2 miles in 2:33:37.

Huntington Beach residents Fred Shufflebarger and Rob McNair finished in

10th and 12th with times of 3:01:11 and 3:03:24 respectively in the men’s

marathon. Candy Clark, a 49-year-old Huntington Beach resident, finished

15th in the women’s half-marathon with a time of 1:31:57.

* BRYCE ALDERTON is the news assistant. He can be reached at (714)

965-7173 or by e-mail at bryce.alderton@latimes.com