By Lynne Gross

Saturday May 11 was a perfect day for the Roundhouse Aquarium 5K Fun Run - blue skies, cool temperatures, low tides, and over 110 enthusiastic runners.

The top finisher was Thomas Velvin with a time of 18 minutes and 28 seconds. The top female, Julia Vazquez, clocked 23 minutes and 16 seconds.

Highlights of the race included a cheering crew on the sidelines and free massages from Calcopa after the race. Runners also enjoyed oranges, energy bars, and water from KIND; information and coupons from Gelson’s and West Basin; and the chance to examine some sea animals in the aquarium’s touch tank. A raffle with prizes followed the race.

The winners, who received medals and prizes from local merchants, were as follows:

Male 9 and Under
First Place - Dane Stever
Second Place - Max Howard
Female 9 and Under
First Place - Lily Paquin
Second Place - Lilah Fassel
Third Place - Chloe Howard
Male 10 to 14
First Place - Kai Graham
Second Place - Jude Graham
Third Place - Braden Sheets
Female 10 to 14
First Place - Fionnula Carew
Second Place - Katie Fleming
Third Place - Michal Dror
Male 15 to 29
First Place - Thomas Velvin
Second Place - Bobby Sillman
Third Place - Sean Adami
Female 15 to 29
First Place - Julia Vazquez
Second Place - Tricia Carnival
Third Place - Sepideh Homian
Male 30 to 49
First Place - Kyle McDermott
Second Place - Bill Uniack
Third Place - John Corrales
Female 30 to 49
First Place - Cassandra Whitney
Second Place - Melissa Timko
Third Place - Jenn Stever

Male 50 and Over
First Place - Robert Kellogg
Second Place - Jerry Cain
Third Place - Nicolas Garfias
Female 50 and Over
First Place - Dolores Gumble
Second Place - Heather Hoffman
Third Place Theresa Gonzalez

Race sponsors included: Gold: Chevron and Skechers; Silver: Forbes Corrales Real Estate and Continental Development; Bronze: Aldrich & Turkmany Insurance, Regatta Capital
Group, Gelson’s, War Machine, Bayview Pediatric Dental Group, and Michael Lee Architects.

All the proceeds from the race are used to support the operation of the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium and its education programs. These programs include taking care of the animals, teaching classes for school children, providing free admittance to the public, and training volunteers.

The Roundhouse Aquarium is located at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier and is open
to the public from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 AM to 7:00 p.m. weekends.