Palisadian Andrew Bland talks about winning his second Palisades-Will Rogers 5K.
On a patriotic day in Pacific Palisades, residents packed along the streets in the Huntington were proud that the first person through the chute at Friday’s 37th annual Palisades-Will Rogers 5/10K Run was one of their own, 20-year-old Andrew Bland from the Highlands, who won his hometown race for the second time in 15:48.
Bland was going into his senior year at Loyola High when he won the race for the first time in 2011 in a time of 15:52. He was second overall and first in the 16-18 age group in 2010 and was first in the 13-15 age group in 2009.
“I’ve lived here 18 years now and I love running with friends and family, they’re all here,” said Bland, entering his junior year at UC Berkeley, where he runs cross country and track. “It was a little hot and humid but I love this race. The main goal this year is to stay healthy. I’m really excited for this upcoming season.”
Renee Delphin-Rodriguez, a 35-year-old from Santa Monica, was the first female 5K finisher in 19:57. Tonny Okello, who is from Uganda but now lives and trains in Santa Monica, won the men’s 10K in 31:21 and Melinda DiNapoli of Saratoga, California, won the women’s 10K in 40:30.
Click here for complete race results.
— Steve Galluzzo
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