Mahon, Keller Win a Race but No Cash in Fiesta 5,000

The times were a bit slower and the prize money was gone, but the competition was still good at the Fiesta 5,000 road race Sunday in San Clemente.

Prize money wasn’t offered this year because race organizers dropped the elite portion of the competition in favor of a one-race format. Last year, both a world-class invitational and open race were held.

“Basically, it (the format change) was because of the need for more sponsorship,” said Sue Monlux of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.

All that didn’t matter much to Terrence Mahon, who held off Martin Rodriguez and Wilson Waigwa to win the men’s competition of the five-kilometer race in 14 minutes 36 seconds. Rodriguez ran 14:49, Waigwa 14:52.

Carol Keller of Laguna Beach won the women’s division in 17:03, holding off Suzi Morris (17:27) of Leucadia.

Mahon, a 20-year-old La Habra High graduate who attends Villanova, said he ran the race mainly as a workout.

“It would have been good to have some fast competition because I’m in shape to run under 14 minutes, but this is fine,” he said.

Top finishers

Men--1. Mahon (La Habra), 14:36; 2. Rodriguez, 14:49; 3. Waigwa (El Paso), 14:52; 4. Russell (Grand Junction, Colo.), 15:18; 5. Frederick, 15:25; 6. Kemmerer, 15:36.

Women--1. Keller (Laguna Beach), 17:03; 2. Morris (Leucadia), 17:27; 3. Hertsch, 18:28; 4. Zimmerman (Orange), 18:36; 5. Mendoza, 18:38.