Grand View Gator Run Serves Up Speedy Times, Family Fun
Jun 06, 2023 08:49AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Top finishers at the 2023 Grand View Gator Run included members of Mira Costa's Cross Country team. Photo credit: Katie Crawmer
Sunday's 26th annual Exer Urgent Care Grand View Gator Run served up fast times - including a new course record - and family fun, all while raising money for the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation.
Tying for first place at the run with the new record-setting time of 16:27 were two Mira Costa runners: sophomore Isaac Faynsod and senior Kai Graham. (If those names sound familiar, you're not imagining it: Last year Faynsod came in first, setting the previous course record, and Graham came in second.)
(Isaac Faynsod (#81) and Kai Graham (#324) cross the finish line at the same time. Photo credit: Katie Crawmer.)
The top two female runners were Mira Costa senior Anna Chittenden, in 18:42, and 10-year-old Elise Myers in 18:51.
Leading off the race was Grand View Teacher of the Year Devin Meyer, driven in a pace car by parent Alex Yoffe and student Cayden Yoffe.
All told, more than 400 participants finished the race.
"It's always fun to see our community turn out for this fun event," said race organizer Katie Crawmer.
Race Course Featured Water Stands, Unicorn Shower
The race course began at Grand View Elementary School, went past Live Oak Park, continued up the Greenbelt, came back on Bell Ave. nearly to Sand Dune Park, then returned to Grand View.
Along the way, there were families cheering, community volunteers handing out water, and in one case, a unicorn spraying water on grateful runners.
(Photo credit: Joe Franklin) The
race was followed by Grand View's annual Spring Fair that included
games, food, face painting, and other activities.
At press time, organizers did not have an exact total of the amount raised for MBEF. However, that number is typically in the five-figure range. Last year's race raised approximately $20,000 for MBEF.
