Sports

Patrick Sweeney Wins Palos Verdes Marathon

The Manhattan Beach resident, who finished fifth in 2009, bests the next runner by more than 11 minutes.

 Manhattan Beach resident Patrick Sweeney, 31, won the 44th annual Palos Verdes Marathon on Saturday with a finishing time of 2:37:14. It was Sweeney's first win in the event.

The next best time was held by Placentia resident Trinidad Robles, who finished more than 11 minutes after Sweeney.

"I'm not used to running fast," said Sweeney, who usually runs in longer distance races known as ultramarathons. "In a marathon you have to. In an ultra you have to pace yourself, but I didn't pace myself in the Palos Verdes run. I pretty much went as fast as I could the whole time."

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The race began at 7 a.m. at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. Although there was one hill at mile 2, the route was "rolling with beautiful sea views and cool breezes," according to event organizers.

The event was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Palos Verdes Rolling Hills Estates and benefited local charities. Held annually on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it is the second-longest continuously running marathon in the country, after the Boston Marathon, according to the event's website.

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sweeney said he has been using a footwear product called Vibram Five Fingers in his recent races and hopes to run completely barefoot soon. The item provides a thin layer of foot coverage without the support and bulk of shoes.

"You run with proper form," he said about the gear. "Your feet are on the ground for a shorter amount of time. You're using your muscles the way they're meant to be used."

"I'm a barefoot runner," he said of his training at local beaches. "I have a friend who ran the Palos Verdes competition barefoot. I want to get there some day. But, I'm not ready for [running] completely barefoot yet."

Participants took part in a full marathon, a half marathon or 5K run/walk Sunday. Medals were awarded to all marathon and half marathon finishers. For a complete list of runners and their finishing times, click here.

Though it was significant, Sweeney said his first-place finish in the Palos Verdes Marathon was just a warm-up for his participation in a race next month in San Diego.

"It's interesting and fun," he said of his marathon runs. "It's one day in your life and you've got 50 stories from it that you'll never forget."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here