1,500 Runners Jam the Streets in 10th Annual Aztlan Classic

Nearly 1,500 participants and 2,000 spectators were on hand for the Aztlan 5 and 10K Classic at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park on Nov. 1.

The 10th annual race through residential streets also served as an official training run for the Los Angeles Marathon in March.

Students from Bell, Belmont, Huntington Park, Garfield and South Gate high schools, as well as neighboring junior highs, were among those running. The students are taking part in Students Run L.A., a citywide training program for the L.A. Marathon.

However, it was walkers who highlighted the day’s events.

Victoria Herazo, 32, a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team in the 10,000-meter walk, was the overall winner in the 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) walk with a time of 22 minutes, 49 seconds. U.S. Olympic trials qualifier Francene Bustos, 28, was second, finishing in 24:12.

Jesus Gutierrez, 26, a five-time Division II All-American in cross-country and track and field at Cal State Los Angeles, was the fastest runner, winning the 10K in 31:19.

Tyrus Deminter, 29, edged Danny Martinez, 30, to win the 5K in 14:44. Rosalinda Garcia, 23, and Beverly Buss, 32, were the women’s 5K and 10K winners in 18:37 and 39:50, respectively.

The event, organized by the Aztlan Athletic Congress, a nonprofit group formed to aid Latino youth through scholarships, athletic programs and career guidance, has raised $75,000 since its inception a decade ago.