Runners Ready for Will Rogers Race

The 34th Palisades-Will Rogers 5/10K Run will start at 8:15 a.m. Monday at the entrance to the Palisades Recreation Center.

Presented by the Palisades Will Rogers Ridge Runners and the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club, the race is the opening act of Fourth of July festivities and is Pacific Palisades' highest-attended annual sporting event.

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each male and female age division and the four winners will be invited to ride in the Fourth of July Parade.

The 5K is the first part of the 10K course. It is relatively flat and weaves through Huntington Palisades streets, endng back at the entrance to the Rec Center.

The 10K, considered one of the most challenging in California, follows the same route as the 5K until heading east on Sunset Boulevard, up the switchbacks at Will Rogers State Historic Park, and back up Sunset Boulevard to the Rec Center.

The 10K men's and women's records were both set in 1983. Russell Edmonds of New Zealand established the men's mark of 29:46 while Palisades High's Katie Dunsmuir clocked 35:09 to set the women's standard.

The 5K race was added in 1986 and Palisades resident Peter Gilmore has run seven of the top 10 fastest times, including the race record of 14:10 in 2003. Anetta Luevano set the women's 5K record of 16:29 in 1995.

Last year's Palisades-Will Rogers 5/10K Run drew a field of 2,487, including 1,175 Palisadians. 

A half-mile Kids' Fun Run will follow the 5/10K races at 9:15 a.m., starting at the entrance to the Rec Center. All Fun Run participants receive a ribbon and a flag.

There is still time to register for Monday's races. Race-day registration will be from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at the Rec Center (851 Alma Real Drive). Cost is $50 for the 5/10K and $30 for the Kids' Fun Run. 

Click here for more information on the official race website.