San Francisco 5K: Vetter Dominates M65-69 with a Four-Minute Gap

• Douglas Vetter, 66, Jackson, MS won M65-69 in 26:43 (8:36/mi) — finishing more than four minutes ahead of the field.
• Harbans Singh, 69, Manteca, CA claimed 2nd in 30:43 (9:53/mi), with Pedro Rodriguez, 69, Daly City, CA rounding out the podium in 32:59 (10:37/mi).
• A tight cluster formed at the back: Tim Jenks (8th, 52:58), Anthony Kriletich (9th, 53:09), and Jim Lombardo (10th, 54:42) finished within two minutes of each other.
• Gordon Morrison, 65, Rockledge, FL — the youngest in the field — closed out M65-69 in 56:38 (18:14/mi).

Douglas Vetter made the M65-69 race his own from the moment the clock started. The 66-year-old from Jackson, MS crossed the line in 26:43 at an 8:36/mi clip — a commanding effort on San Francisco's hilly streets in cool, humid conditions. His margin over 2nd place wasn't a photo finish; it was a statement. Harbans Singh of Manteca ran a composed 30:43 (9:53/mi) to take 2nd, while fellow 69-year-old Pedro Rodriguez of Daly City added a 32:59 (10:37/mi) to complete the podium. Those three separated themselves clearly from the rest of the 11-man field.

The middle and back of the pack told a different story. Kenneth Lyons (4th, 42:06) and David Gameros (5th, 42:58) were separated by under a minute, with Stan Tyler (6th, 46:45) not far behind. Then came a tight late-race cluster: Kwong Yam Cheng finished 7th in 51:35, followed by Jenks (52:58), Kriletich (53:09), and Lombardo (54:42) — four runners spanning just over two minutes across four spots. Gordon Morrison, the youngest in the field at 65, brought it home in 56:38 to complete all 11 finishers. In all, it was Vetter's race to lose — and he never gave anyone the chance.