Students win twice in run

Marisa O’Neil

The annual Harbor Heritage Run benefits Newport Harbor High School

students each year, but this year, two students got an added bonus --

placing in the top 10.

Sophomore cross-country runner Whitney Blue, 13, placed second in

the women’s category of the 5K race on Oct. 4 with a time of 19:52.

Kenneth Rakestraw, 15, finished fifth overall with a time of 17:16.

The race, in its 17th year, serves as the PTA’s major fund-raiser,

with money going toward academic programs, counseling and

scholarships. Race Director Alesia Erickson said that about 1,000

runners participated and the event raised about $25,000.

“People came out and were very excited to be there,” Erickson

said. “The runners were pleased, the community volunteers enjoyed

themselves, we had a good crowd in the infield. We all enjoyed our

morning.”

The race wended its way through the neighborhoods around the high

school and finished on its track. Students and local residents helped

pass out water, register competitors and keep everything running.

Kenyan Wilhelm Gidabuday, who now lives in Garden Grove, won the

race with a time of 15:26. Rounding out the top 10 were Rick Herr,

16:03; Fred Cowles, 16:40; Mark Steyvers, 17:07; Jamie Soto, 17:25;

Jeff Snyeer, 17:38; Matt Hoyt, 17:42; Nicholas Miller, 17:54; and Jon

Rummler, 17:55.

The top women finishers were Monique Mejia, 19:50; Amy Muller,

20:23; Alicia Stewert, 20:43; Caitlin Mai, 20:43; Keira Kirby, 20:56;

Sherry Boston, 21:04; Lauren Maddox, 21:11; Cameron Kilmer, 21:18 and

Amy Penner, 21:26.

Complete results are available at https://kathyloperevents.com. Top

three finishers in each category can pick up their prizes at building

No. 3 at Newport Harbor High School, off 16th Street.