Headlining some impressive efforts by Palisadians in the Los Angeles Marathon on March 17, 76-year-old Frank Baxter won the 75-80 age group with a time of 5:04.31.
Baxter, who competed in his 19th L.A. Marathon, has lived in Pacific Palisades since 1990 and is planning to run the New York Marathon in November.
He trains by running two to four miles on weekdays and longer distances on weekends with his running partner, Bill Simon, starting by his house on Alma Real Drive and then down Temescal Canyon Road to the beach path before coming up Chautauqua.
Interestingly enough, Baxter did not run cross country or track in high school – he played football instead – and did not run his first marathon until age 54, when he ran the London Marathon.
Describing himself as a “late bloomer,” Baxter said his reason for taking up long-distance running stemmed from developing a “sense of mortality.” He is the former ambassador to Uruguay (2006-09) and former CEO of Jeffries and Company.
Nell Stephenson, an ironman triathlete and fitness trainer, finished 17th overall with a time of 3:02.58. The 38-year-old, who was second in her age group, ran the New York City Marathon in 3:07 in 2011.
Meanwhile, Megan Kirch enjoyed the L.A. Marathon experience for the first time after starting her training in November with “Team in Training,” a charity that raises funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Kirch, 33, who attended Corpus Christi, Marymount and Santa Clara University before receiving her master’s degree in social work from Boston University, posted a time of 4:10.
“This was especially meaningful for her, as she lost an aunt to cancer four years ago and a dear cousin has just gone into remission,” Kirch’s mother, Kris Gibello, said. “She dedicated her race to both of them.”
Other Palisadians contributed to good causes. After being approached by classmate Kyle Paris on behalf of Veronika’s Place, a cause that helps those in need in Kenya, Loyola High cross-country and track athletes Andrew Mead, 17, and Ben Foster, 18, teamed up to take first place with a time of 2:50.35 in the charity relay event. Each ran 13 miles.
Also supporting Veronika’s Place were members of the Tabit family — Mark, Jill, Christy and Luke, who all ran a leg.
Bob Sumpter joined a relay for The Fulfillment Fund, a college access program for under-resourced students.
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