Toker and Castelein Prevail in SoCal Series Finale

More than 800 participate in Malibu Creek Trail Run

A fast climb to the top of the hill put Jonathan Toker and Lisa Castelein at the top of the winner's podium for the XTERRA Malibu Creek Trail Run last weekend.

Toker, 36, was the overall winner and Castelein, 36, was the first female. Toker completed the 22-kilometer course in 1 hour, 40 minutes, 34 seconds. Castelein finished with a time of 2:03:02.

More than 800 runners ranging in age from 13 to 80 participated in the event, which was completed Saturday (May 7). Toker credited the course and the conditions for the large turnout at Malibu Creek State Park.

"The running conditions were perfect with a cool and pleasant start without ever getting too hot," Toker said. "Regardless of the conditions, and on any day all year, this route features some of the most scenic trails in all of Southern California."

Castelein agreed, saying: "The course is quite challenging but absolutely stunning. The challenge is worth the reward of the beautiful views."

Toker and Castelein both used a strong surge up "Bulldog Hill" midway through the course to take over the lead in their respective divisions. Toker resides in Malibu and often trains at Malibu Creek State Park, so he made use of his course knowledge.

"I race better from behind and attack on the more difficult sections of the course, and true to form, there were three of us leading at about mile 3 up Bulldog Hill and we dropped one runner," said Toker (pictured at right after his victory). "I then pulled away on a slight ascent just before a dip. Knowing the course was certainly an advantage in this instance, and I put a few minutes onto the group by the summit of Bulldog climb."

Shawn St. Sauveur of Northridge placed second in a time of 1:43:28, and Mike Davies of Santa Monica was third in 1:43:36.

Toker is the founder and CEO of SaltStick - electrolyte capsules and dispensers - and he said his products assisted him in the victory. "I used four SaltStick Caps and the SaltStick dispenser during the run, and simply put, I wouldn't have won the event without the product," he said.

Castelein said she focused on her own race, and was not even aware of any females alongside her while running up Bulldog Hill. Nance Tran of Tarzana was second in 2:06:46, and Ashley Walker of Los Angeles was third in 2:07:07.

Castelein (pictured at right) entered three XTERRA trail runs this season, and finished first in the 35-39 age group at each race. This, however, was her first overall victory. Castelein, who is a pilates instructor in San Diego, said she would like to enter more XTERRA trail runs and triathlons next year.

"I am also a triathlete and earlier in the season I had other races on my schedule and had to prioritize which races I could do," she said. "I am definitely planning to do more XTERRA races next year and would love to get into XTERRA triathlon."

The Malibu Creek Trail Run also featured a 6-kilometer course, in addition to the 22-kilometer long course. Jamie Lyko of Santa Monica was the overall winner of the 6K, and Tricia Baak of Pacific Palisades was the first female.

The Malibu Creek Trail Run was the final event of the 2010-11 XTERRA SoCal Trail Run Series. Each age-group champion from the series received a free entry to the 2011 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship, which is set for Sept. 25 at Ogden, Utah.

The 2011-12 XTERRA SoCal Trail Run Series is scheduled to start in October. For complete results from the races and to learn more about the series, please visit www.trailrace.com or www.xterratrailrun.com.

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