Prize Purse Announced for 2nd Annual Saint John's Santa Monica 5000 5k & 10k Race

Race Offers $7000 in Guaranteed Prize Money

Generic Events announced this week an increase in prize money for the second annual Saint John’s Santa Monica 5000 presented by Lexus on October 21, 2007. This scenic 5k and 10k race starts and finishes near the world-famous Santa Monica Pier and features great ocean views and a post-event Party on the Pier.

The race will feature $7000 in guaranteed prize money, including $1500 for the men’s and women’s winner in the 5k race in addition to time bonuses and incentives for the top Santa Monica finishers. For the complete prize money structure, visit www.santamonica5000.com. “The Saint John’s Santa Monica 5000 is a great Southern California running event that will feature some of the top runners from throughout California and the world,” said Event Director Brennan Lindner.

Race funds will benefit Saint John’s Health Center’s new Emergency Department. In response to the community’s growing needs for health services, coupled with hospital and emergency room closings, Saint John’s Health Center is expanding its Emergency Department. The enhancements will streamline triage and treatment of Emergency Room patients to improve efficiency and quality of care.

“We are pleased to be the beneficiary of such a wonderful health and fitness event right here in our own community,” said Robert O. Klein, Saint John’s Vice President of Foundation and Health Center Relations.

The inaugural 2006 event showcased a strong Kenyan contingency with Haron Lagat winning in a time of 14:11. He was followed by Running Springs, CA resident, Jimmy Grabow (14:12) and Bolota Asmerow (14:19) from Oakland, CA.

In the women’s 5k race, Kenyan Emily Chebet easily won in 16:16, in her first race in the

United States. “I felt good and loved the course. I’ll be back next year.” She was followed by Silvia Mosqueda (17:01) from South Pasadena and Jennifer Derego of Arroyo Grande, CA (17:33)

The winners in the 10k race were Edward Muge from the AmeriKenyan running club in Santa Fe, who finished in 29:42 and Kelly Flathers from Huntington Beach in 36:40.

The inaugural race, which attracted 1502 runners, got underway at 8:00 a.m. as Grey’s Anatomy Actor Isaiah Washington fired the starting gun. Other celebrities involved with the race were JAG Actor David James Elliott, C.S.I. Actress Yeniffer Behrens, Actress Lisa Arturo from “American Pie 2” and “Jackass 2,” Alex Bell and Kim Powers from “Survivor,” and 2005 Miss Massachusetts Cristina Nardozzi.

The 5k and 10k events start just south of the Santa Monica Pier at Ocean Park and Barnard Way and run along Main Street and Ocean Avenue with views of the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Monica 10,000 will head north to San Vicente and east to Lincoln Blvd. before heading south to the Pier. Both races finish at the Santa Monica Pier with a post-race party featuring local bands and entertainment. Complete course maps are available at www.santamonica5000.com.