An Ecuadorian woman was the fastest overall runner in the Key Biscayne’s Lighthouse Run Saturday, blazing through the streets of Key Biscayne in an event organizers said drew a near-record crowd of more than 1,000 runners.
Coming in first in the signature 10K race was Ángela Janneth Brito, who placed well ahead of Javier Concha, the male winner.
“She beat the first-place 10K male runner by 35 seconds!” said coordinator Marco Gomez, who says it’s very rare for a female to have the fastest overall time.
“It was an amazing race for me,” Brito said, who said she’s competed in Key Biscayne before because the event is very attractive for runners.
“I love the course because I see a lot of trees and people watching the race.” Brito, 37, hopes to leverage her first-place finish in a contest in Bogota, Colombia next week.
The event draws 200 volunteers who staff food and water stations for runners, with race proceeds going to eight charitable organizations.
“We’re almost at full capacity,” said Gomez,” adding the contest had close to a record number of entrants. “This is an iconic event, 65% of the runners are from Key Biscayne.”
He noted that 35% of runners are under age 18.
“When those little 7-year-olds get on the podium, with a smile on their face like they just won the Olympics, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Male overall 10K:
1. Javier Concha
2. Brian Frank
3. Alejandro Solórzano
Female overall 10K:
1. Angela Janneth Brito
2. Vanessa Pajón
3. Meagan Lee Amaral
Male overall 5K:
1. Juan Pablo Osorio Valencia
2. Luis Rodriguez Ruiz
3. Camilo Cruz
Female overall 5K:
1. Samantha Jackson
2. Nicole Hillis
3. Rita Albarracin
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Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.