Eddie Herena outpaced the 1000 Mile Club members who braved rainy conditions for posterity in the first-ever 5K race at San Quentin filmed by Flotrack.
“Watching the 21 runners hammer out that 5K in the pouring rain and have fun doing it was truly inspiring,” said Taylor Dutch, the Flotrack host. “It was truly an unforgettable experience …and by far my favorite project I have worked on for Flotrack.”
“It felt excellent. We’ve never run a race in those conditions. It was unique,” said Herena, 31, who bested everyone with a time of 18.25 running at a 5:57 minute per mile pace.
Herena’s time established the 1000 Mile Club’s 5K record in San Quentin.
“That record won’t stand,” commented Herena.
Flotrack is a new media outlet whose mission is to promote running. Many 1000 Mile Club runners had missed being filmed in a 2013 competition that was posted on Flotrack’s web site. (http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250049-2013-Indoor-Track-and-Field-on-Flotrack/video/675936-San-Quentin-1000-Mile-Club#.VNfYKfnF8j4.
Those club members were determined to run, come hell or high water, to make sure they were included in the Feb. 6 videotaping.
Cinematographer Tyler Gerrell filmed this year’s event.
The rain cleared out the normal pedestrian traffic, leaving the lanes all clear for the competitors. However, the wet and muddy conditions did cause some problems.
Several runners took spills, including Carlos Ramirez, who took a fall on the second lap and still came in second. The 36-year-old finished in 19:51, running at a 6:24 minute per mile pace.
“If Carlos hadn’t fallen, it would have been a closer race,” said Herena.
Herena took a fall of his own during the final .10 of a mile when he ran across the grass on the baseball field to complete the race.
Morceli Abdel Kader, 33, was able to run fast enough to finish third in a time of 20:49, despite the rain and having a leg injury.
“You can’t let the rain stop you from exercising,” said Kader. “Running is good for you.”
Right behind Kader came in Stephen Reitz, 38, in a time of 21:12. Larry Ford, 59, was the first finisher over 50, setting the 50 and older 5000-Meter record at 21:18.
Chris Schuhmacher, 41, ran a strong 22:14 to take sixth place and edge out seventh place finisher Vincente Gomez, 39.
Glen Mason, 52, and Michael Keeyes, 67, had a spirited battle for eighth, with Mason taking it by one second with a time of 22:41. Keeyes was the oldest runner.
Abel Armengol, 27, secured 10th place in 23:28.
Next was Louis Hunter, 54, in 23:58 followed by Clifton Williams, 53, in 24:53.
Newcomer Jonathan Chiu, 32, finished his first S.Q. race at 14th in 25:52.
He was followed by Darren Settlemyer, 48, who completed the 5K in 26:01.
Malcolm Jones, 56, came in at 26:21 followed by Tyrone Allen, 55, in 27:02.
Jonathan Hamilton, 27, signed up for the 1000 Mile Club the morning of the race and completed it in 27:26.
Eddie DeWeaver, 39, was seconds behind Hamilton with a time of 27:45. Right on DeWeaver’s tail was Leroy Lucas, 39, finishing 14 seconds later.
Rahsaan Thomas, 44, ran in his work boots rather than his Adidas running shoes and took 21st place with a time of 31:20.
Marlon Beason, 34, closed out the race in 32:50.
The showers wet paper and washed away ink, which made keeping track of laps difficult for lap counters coaches Kevin Rumon and Diana Fitzpatrick, community volunteers Jim Morris and Jill Friedman, and San Quentin residents Dennis Barnes, Ralph Ligons, and Tone Evans.
“We had to poke holes in the paper to keep track of laps,” said Rumon. “Nothing else worked.”
After the race, Dutch conducted interviews with several runners for their next Flotrack San Quentin 1000 Mile Club feature.
“I’m blessed, and I thank God that I’m able to run the way I do,” said Herena. “I really appreciate our sponsors for their support.”
