BASTILLE DAY 8K : Musyoki Fits Victory Into Schedule

William Musyoki has become a permanent fixture of The Sports Club/Irvine Bastille Day 8K road race, whether he wants to be or not.

Musyoki, a native of Kenya who lives in Albuquerque, N.M., won his third consecutive title Sunday, covering the eight-kilometer course in 22 minutes 57 seconds.

But he hadn’t even planned to be in the area Sunday, much less compete in a race he originally withdrew from because of a disagreement over appearance fees.

Musyoki’s schedule for the week included a flight from Albuquerque to Los Angeles then on to Nairobi, Kenya, for the African track and field championships. However, his flight from Los Angeles to Kenya was canceled, according to his agent, Ron Gee.

Gee said Musyoki phoned him Friday and said he changed his mind about running in the Bastille Day 8K. He relinquished any appearance fees because of his late entry, but still picked up $1,000 and a trip for two to Paris for winning.

“Today, I just wanted to test myself,” said Musyoki, 25, who hopes to qualify in the 10,000 meters for next month’s World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo. “I’m trying to sharpen up and do some quality training.”

Sunday, Musyoki was content to sit back and let La Habra High product Terrence Mahon and others set a quick early pace. After the two-mile mark, however, Musyoki took over the lead.

He continued to lengthen his lead over a five-man pack and breezed to the finish. Ivan Huff, 31, of Paso Robles was second in 23:04. Alfredo Vallejo, a Mexican national who resides in Gardena, was third in 23:05. Mahon, 20, finished sixth in 23:33, and Jay Marden of Fremont, one of the top entrants, dropped out after two miles.

“I didn’t want to wait too long to take the lead,” said Musyoki, adding that he preferred Sunday’s cool, overcast weather to last year’s hot conditions. “I didn’t want to count on sprinting with 100 meters to go.”

Olga Appell of Durango, Mexico, who was the women’s winner, didn’t have to sprint to the finish line either. Appell, who is married to former Fountain Valley High School track star Brian Appell, easily defeated a strong field in 25:50. Kathy Kanes of Medford, Mass., finished second in 25:59, and Swedish native Tina Ljungberg, who lives in El Paso, was third in 26:08.

Ljungberg went out fast in the early stages of the race, with Kathy Kanes and Appell right behind her. Kanes eventually passed Ljungberg, but Appell stayed behind until they neared the four-mile mark, where Appell took the lead.

“I didn’t know who she was, but I thought I recognized her stride,” said Ljungberg of Appell. “She must of swooshed by me some other time.”

Kanes, 29, who lived in California for six years before moving to the Boston area in January, said she too, was surprised by Appell.

“At four miles the winner went whooshing past,” Kanes said. “She was extremely strong.”

Appell, 27, who was cheered on by 4-year-old daughter Monique and Jane Appell, her mother-in-law, said that she felt strong the entire race.

“When I passed the leaders, I was feeling really good,” said Appell, who plans to run the marathon at the upcoming Pan American Games in Cuba.

Polly Plumer, a former University High and UCLA standout, finished sixth in 27:12. Plumer, whose career has been marred by injuries and illnesses, said she is aiming for next year’s track season. She lives in Pacific Beach and is running independent of a team. She works out at Mesa Community College.

“Today was just for fun,” said Plumer, 26, who still holds the girls’ national high school record for the mile at 4:35.24. “I was hoping to make the top 10 and I’m just starting to get back in shape.”

In the wheelchair division, Bill Fricke, 30, won in 19:57. Dan Cronin of Coronado finished second in 27:56. Bobbi Tanberg, the women’s winner, was third overall in 28:45.