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)