Runners Bring In Fast Times at the MB10K
Oct 08, 2023 08:34AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
2023 MB10K winners: Jack Polerecky (left) and Abby Hong (right)
A foggy morning gave way to clear skies and speedy times on Saturday morning at the annual Manhattan Beach 10K race.
More than 3,500 runners completed the race, which is now in its 46th year. The popular race - which sold out earlier this week - has been designated as the RRCA California State 10K Championship for the second year in a row.
Coming in first at one of the fastest times in recent memory was Jack Polerecky, age 27, in a time of 31:05. Polerecky is a former collegiate runner at Loyola Marymount who at one point ranked 513th in the world for the 10K.
"I've never done [this race] before - it was a blast," Polerecky told MB News after the race. "That last hill from [mile] four to five - that was pretty tough, but coming around on the Strand was fun."
Taking first place for the women (and 12th overall) was Abby Hong, 27, in a time of 35:44. Hong is a Mira Costa High School and University of Pennsylvania track and field alumna.
"I wasn't sure if I was going to race it until a couple of days ago," Hong told MB News after the race. "I had injured my Achilles like three weeks ago on the track - but I didn't feel any pain today."
(Hong's father Joe Hong also ran the race, finishing in a time of 41:24.)
Hong was followed by Lindsay Wandzilak, 36, who finished in 37:06; and Laura Osman, 42, who finished in 37:34.
A total of 27 P.I.E.R. (Participated In Every Race) runners completed the race. The P.I.E.R. runners have run all 46 of the past MB10K races. That elite cadre of men and women - most of whom are now in their 70s and 80s - are treated as V.I.P.s at the race, receiving special t-shirts and gift bags.
The race traditionally draws residents of all ages from Manhattan Beach, who run and walk through the 6.2 mile course. Along the way, community members, volunteer groups, and local bands are on hand to cheer on the runners and hand out water.
A variety of local businesses and organizations, including Manhattan Beach favorites GROW and Fresh Brothers, hand out goodies after the race.
Full race results are available here.
An All-Volunteer-Run Race
The MB10K is the largest "pure" 10K in California (meaning only a
10K run, no other races) and has been ranked as one of the top 100 road
races in the United States. Of those top 100, it is the only one without
a corporate sponsor, thanks to its all-volunteer race committee, and
its only source of income is the runners' entry fees.
A
time-honored MB10K tradition is for the race committee to donate all proceeds
directly back to the community in the form of health and fitness
enhancements to the recreation facilities of local schools and parks,
local school booster clubs; as well as scholarships to Manhattan Beach
high school seniors.
Since its inception,
total MB10K donations have surpassed $665,000 and include Mira Costa
High School track refurbishing, an exercise facility at the Manhattan
Beach Middle School, a climbing wall at Manhattan Heights Park, Strand
mile markers, a play structure at Polliwog Park and artificial turf at
AYSO field on Marine.
2023 MB10K [9 Images]
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