Runners on Colorado Street Bridge (Photo – McCourt Foundation)
On Sunday, January 21, 2024, nearly 14,000 racers competed in the 8th annual Rose Bowl Half Marathon and 5K.
By News Desk
The scenic race crosses the Coronado Street Bridge and passes Caltech, but saves the best for last, a run through the stadium tunnel before finishing on the grass of the football field.
“The finish, coming through that tunnel was insane,” said women’s 5K winner Stephanie Harris, who grew up in Pasadena and now lives in Brooklyn. “You can’t help but go fast down that hill. This is so cool. You finish on the grass and the sky opens up in the huge stadium. It is beautiful.”
Adolfo Carvalho, winner of the men’s race (Photo – McCourtFoundation)
Rose Bowl Half Marathon Winners
Forty states and eighteen countries were represented in the field, but locals dominated the podium. Pasadenans hit the tape first in the half marathon.: Adolfo Carvalho, from Pasadena, won the men’s race in 1 hour, 11 minutes, 26 seconds, a 5:28-per-mile pace. “I’m a big college football fan,” said Carvalho. “You can’t beat finishing in the Rose Bowl. It’s an amazing stadium. It’s particularly special being on the turf.”
Myles Matsuno of Altadena finished second in the men’s half marathon, 58 seconds behind Carvalho, who ran at Rice University in Houston. Matsuno certainly didn’t taper for the race, running 90 miles during the week. He’s planning on pulling a Los Angeles and Boston Marathon double this year.
Elizabeth Ben-Ishai the women’s half marathon in 1:23:02, a 6:21 pace. She runs for the Pasadena Pacers, which includes the Friday Donut Run Club. The group meets at 6:00 am, knocks out three or five miles, then enjoys Homer Simpson’s favorite dessert at Randy’s Donuts.
Elizabeth Ben-Ishai winner of the women’s race (Photo – McCourtFoundation)
5 K Race Winners
Stephanie Harris won the women’s 5K in 19:05, a 6:09-mile pace. She barely beat Canoga Park’s Caitlin Healey to the tape, winning by one second. Lidia Garcia of Pasadena was third in 19:17. Garcia, who helps lead the Pasadena Run Club, said “The Rose Bowl Half Marathon is just one of the premier events that draws a lot of runners to our beautiful city.”
“The finish, coming through that tunnel was insane,” said women’s 5K winner Stephanie Harris, who grew up in Pasadena and now lives in Brooklyn. “You can’t help but go fast down that hill. This is so cool. You finish on the grass and the sky opens up in the huge stadium. It is beautiful.”
Adam Wilkinson, a 2022 Claremont McKenna graduate who lives in Santa Monica, won the men’s 5K in 15:33, a 5:07-mile pace. Pasadena’s Drew Polley placed second in 16:27. Wilkinson watched Michigan’s dramatic football playoff win over Alabama on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl, and was psyched for the race. “I was just jonesing to get to the finish line and see what it looks like in real life.”
One of the highlights of Sunday’s Rose Bowl Half Marathon and 5K was the convergence of so many local running clubs, creating an atmosphere of men and women who celebrate distance running.
The race is organized by The McCourt Foundation (TMF), which strives to cure neurological diseases while empowering communities to build a healthier world. 140 runners ran and raised over $70,000 for Team TMF.
For complete results, photos and more, visit RoseBowlHalf.com.
Arriving at the finish line (Photo – McCourtFoundation)
The 2023 Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5k on Sunday morning, Jan. 21 (Photo – McCourt Foundation)
We are so proud that Karina Toro, one of the singers from Pueri Cantores San Gabriel Valley, ran in this year’s race!
Great Job …
There was quite an enthusiastic cheering section lining the streets around Green and Lake!