RUNNING WOODLAND HILLS RACES : Cruz, Padilla Get Bonus From ‘Training’

Benny Cruz and Grace Padilla approached the sixth annual Heart Run in Woodland Hills as training runs, but both emerged victorious in their respective races Sunday.

In the five-kilometer race, Cruz, 25, of Los Angeles, the NCAA Division II Western regional cross-country champion for Cal State Los Angeles in 1987, broke away less than 400 meters into the race to win by nearly a minute. He finished in 14 minutes 39 seconds.

Peter De La Cerda of Granada Hills was second in 15:33 and Northridge’s Vaughn Kastor, last year’s winner, was third in 15:58.

Debbie Ball, 23, of Alhambra won the women’s 5K in 19:10, 38 seconds ahead of Sean O’Brien.

“I just wanted to get away at the start,” said Cruz, who coaches cross-country at Alhambra High and is gearing up for next month’s Los Angeles Marathon 5K.

“Today was just preparation for upcoming races. Don’t look for me on the track; I’m not going to be there,” but focusing on road races instead.

Padilla, however, who led from start to finish in the 10K, clocking 38:50, is concentrating on track.

As a freshman at East Los Angeles College last season, Padilla, 19, of South Gate, advanced to the Southern California junior college regional track finals at 1,500 meters. She hopes to qualify for the state meet in that event in May.

“I ran for a workout,” said Padilla, who ran an 800-meter race in an all-comers meet at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday.

“I alternated running hard for one minute and then easy for the next. I ran a lot faster than I thought I would.”

Laura Flattery (39:01) finished second, followed by Lorraine Hunter (40:00).

In the men’s 10K, Tommy Leon, 24, of Canoga Park won in 32:39, pulling away from Efrain Robles (33:28) in the final three miles.

More than 2,200 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers participated in the event, which started and finished at Warner Center Park.

The event will benefit the American Heart Assn.