San Francisco 5K: Spicola Dominates the F65-69 Field

• Christine Spicola, 37:02 — won the F65-69 race by nearly five minutes over runner-up Jennifer Markgraf (41:52).
• Tight battle for 2nd and 3rd: Markgraf edged Maria Montserrat Gameros by just 56 seconds (41:52 vs. 42:48).
• 10 finishers completed the F65-69 race, spanning a range from Spicola's 11:55/mi to Mary Welch's 22:53/mi in 10th (1:11:07).

Christine Spicola, 67, of Rancho Cucamonga made her intentions clear from the gun. Running an 11:55/mi average — nearly two full minutes per mile faster than anyone else in the F65-69 field — she crossed in 37:02 and was never seriously challenged. The gap back to second place was 4 minutes and 50 seconds, a commanding margin in a 5K.

Behind her, San Francisco's own Jennifer Markgraf (41:52, 13:29/mi) and Sparks, NV's Maria Montserrat Gameros (42:48, 13:47/mi) ran a genuine race for the silver. Markgraf held second by 56 seconds, running about 18 seconds per mile quicker than Gameros over the course. Venetia Louie Chee of Arcadia rounded out the top four in 46:20 (14:55/mi), more than three minutes clear of fifth.

The back half of the field spread out considerably. Atsuko Jenks (53:03) and Nancy Pinkham (1:01:17) bookended a significant gap, while Villia Ponce (1:02:39) and Ida Oberman (1:02:49) finished just 10 seconds apart for 7th and 8th. Shenul Williams (1:10:44) and Mary Welch (1:11:07) closed out the field within 23 seconds of each other — a fitting tight finish to cap the group.

All ten women tackled a cool, humid San Francisco morning — 55°F and 89% humidity — and delivered. From Spicola's wire-to-wire authority to the scraps for position throughout the pack, the F65-69 race had plenty of racing to reward.