Over 1,200 Participate in Annual Lopers Holiday Classic

The 24th annual Holiday Classic saw record-shattering participation this year as runners and walkers of all ages and physical abilities gathered in Loma Linda for the event, hosted by the Loma Linda Lopers and the city of Loma Linda. Beginning at 7 a.m. last Sunday, the annual Half Marathon, 5K run/walk and Elves Trot for children began near the Loma Linda Civic Center, where the courses also finished. Prior to the race start, hungry runners enjoyed a pancake breakfast served by the Crossroads Rotary Club of San Bernardino and participants also enjoyed a pre-race ceremony. "God was good to us," said Loma Linda Lopers President and Co-Race Director Jim Walling. "He gave us beautiful weather and a great turn out. Everyone had a good time." Runners ages 7 and up, participated in the event's 5K run and walk event, while the smaller ones had fun in the annual Elves Trot, where 3 to 6 year olds made their way for just about a quarter of a mile to earn Santa Claus medals. Each year, the Lopers puts on the event with the help and support of local community members and other organizations, explained Walling. "We have had tremendous support from our community, from the sheriff's station, from the fire station, from the city, Loma Linda University and the Rotary," said Walling. "For anyone who is thinking about participating next year, I highly recommend it." Next year's event will be the 25th and Walling explained that plans are already underway to make next year's event just as successful, if not more so. "We are immediately going into planning that — it's just been tremendous," said Walling. "Everyone had a great time and it's a real community event." To end the race, all half marathon and 5K finishers received Olympic-grade custom finishers medals. Medals were also awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each of the race's age groups in both the Half Marathon and 5K events. Trophies were awarded to the overall male and female finishers in each race; all registered Elves received Santa Claus medals. The Holiday Classic event is one of the largest events of the year for the Lopers and they spend many months training for it year-round. Runners and walkers of all ages meet Sunday mornings to participate in the club's training program, known as the Clinic, from August through March, where they train to compete in the Holiday Classic as well as large marathons including the LA Marathon and the Boston Marathon. The top three male and female overall half marathon race finishers are as follows: Males: 1. Robert Wallace, 32, of Lake Elsinore at 1:26:02 (First place) 2. Ismael Carillo, 30, of Moreno Valley at 1:28:02 (Second place) 3. Christopher Oltman, 25, of San Bernardino at 1:29:05 (Third place) Females: 1. Erin Skrettinglad, 35, of Murietta at 1:32:04 (Eighth place) 2. Carri Arrieta, 47, of Moreno Valley at 1:34:42 (10th place) 3. Melinda Driscoll, 38, of San Bernardino at 1:37:32 (18th place) The top three male and female overall 5K race finishers are as follows: Males: 1. Andrejs Galenieks, 29, of Redlands at 17:43 (First place) 2. Gabriel Kane, 26, of San Bernardino at 18:58 (Second place) 3. Jacob Rowe, 14, of Highland at 19:10 (Third place) Females: 1. Angela Erdmann, 31, of Loma Linda at 21:47 (16th place) 2. Caitlin Miller, 12, of Loma Linda at 21:59 (18th place) 3. Lisa Lopez, 27, of Upland at 22:42 (22nd place) [END] 24th Annual Holiday Classic Who: City of Loma Linda and The Lopers Club What: Present the 24th Annual Holiday Classic Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk and Elves Trot for Children The Largest Holiday Racing Event in the Inland Empire Where: City of Loma Linda. Race starts near the Loma Linda Civic Center at the corner of Barton Road and Loma Linda Drive When: Sunday, December 1, 2013 (Rain or Shine) 7 am Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk 8 am Elves Trot (1/4 mile for children ages 3-6) Register online: http://www.lopersclub.org/holiday-classic.aspx Register/Chip-Bib pick-up: Running Center, 1430 Industrial Park Avenue, Redlands, CA Register day of race: 6 am (Staging Area) For more information: www.lopersclub.org https://www.facebook.com/TheLopersClub https://www.facebook.com/events/605678236117867/ Phone: (909) 264-9517 Email: marketing@lopersclub.org November 21, 2013 For Immediate Release For More Information Contact James Walling (909) 437-3194 Press Release: For almost a quarter of a century, the City of Loma Linda and The Lopers Club have kicked off the holidays with a community running event. This year’s 24th annual Holiday Classic on Sunday, Dec. 1 has an option for everyone, with a half marathon, a 5K run/walk and the Elves Trot for children, as over 1,000 entrants are expected to take to the streets of south Loma Linda. “The Holiday Classic has become a tradition in Loma Linda,” said Rhodes “Dusty” Rigsby, MD, Mayor of the City of Loma Linda. “The Lopers Club members put on a class event every year, and this year is no exception. In fact, we already have almost a thousand people registered to participate in the three events. We are thrilled to have so many people involved.” The race starts and finishes near the Loma Linda Civic Center on the corner of Barton Road and Loma Linda Drive in Loma Linda. Parking is available off of Benton, one block south of Barton Rd. The course, which winds through the streets of south Loma Linda, was set with all skill levels involved. “We want to include everyone from the casual walker to the distance runner and everyone in between,” said Colleen Sproul, Co-Race Director and a Lopers Club Board Member. “The Holiday Classic is about bringing the community together for a little exercise and a lot of camaraderie. This race is about being together as a community,” said Phil Carlisle, CEO of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce. “The Lopers Club considers it a privilege to be involved with such a positive community event,” said Jim Walling, Co-Race Director and President of the Lopers Club. “We are thrilled with the response to this year’s event and are already gearing up for the 25th Annual Holiday Classic in 2014. It doesn’t get any better than this to kick off the holidays and experience true community spirit.” While the adults and teens put on their best running (and walking) form, one of the most heartwarming aspects of this annual event has to be the Elves Trot as 3-6 year olds make their way for about a quarter of a mile to earn their Santa Claus medals. “It’s cute as the dickens to see these kids going for the gusto,” said Ruth Homan, Elves Trot Coordinator and Lopers Club Board Member. “The Elves Trot is just the icing on the cake for this event.” Races begin at 7 a.m. with the half marathon and 5K Run/Walk. The Elves Trot will begin at 8 a.m. Additionally, a free breakfast is provided for all Half Marathon and 5K participants beginning at 7:30 a.m. Elves Trot participant breakfast tickets are available for $3.50 up to 12 years of age. Breakfast for non-participants is available for $4 per adult or $3.50 per child 12 or under. Breakfast is provided by the Crossroads Rotary Club of San Bernardino. All Half Marathon and 5K finishers will receive custom finishers' medals. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group in the Half Marathon and 5K. A trophy will be awarded to the overall male and female winners of each race and all Elves who register will receive Santa Claus medals. All medals and trophies awarded must be picked up on the day of the race. Entry fees are as follows: * Half marathon race day sign-up: $70 * 5K race day sign-up: $50 * Elves Trot through Dec. 1: $10. Loma Linda University Health current employees, staff and students can save $40 off regular registration fees by entering their 8-digit EID Number when registering (screen 4 online). This LLUH discount is limited to one entry per EID and is non-transferable (registrant name must match LLUH EID number). Registration is available on race day beginning at 6 a.m.