Photos: 5,000 Participate in Derby Day 5K

Approximately 5,000 runners laced up for the Derby Day 5K at Santa Anita Park on Saturday.

The race, which benefits local schools and CARMA—a race horse rescue organization—coincided with the Santa Anita Derby. The Derby, won by phenom Goldencents, is a stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby and widely considered the most important horse race on the West Coast.

The Derby Day 5K kicked off in an authentic starting gate near Gate 3, with Arcadia High School cross country Head Coach Jim O'Brien giving the starting signal. Then, the course snaked through the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden and finished on Santa Anita's legendary track.

Participants included Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto, City Councilman Gary Kovacic and the entire Arcadia High School boys' cross country team.

Aaron Sharp, a 33-year-old professional runner from Port Hueneme, took first place with a time of 15:03. Arcadia High School cross country standouts Estevan De La Rosa and Josue Gonzalez took second and third place, clocking times of 15:10 and 15:54, respectively.

Click to view the full results. 

Other races include the Kids' 6 Furlong (3/4 mile) race for children ages 7 to 12 and the Homestretch Dash (1/8 mile) for kids ages 6 and under.

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What did you think of the race? Tell us in the comments.