Jones sets masters record in McConnell’s 10k

It’s amazing what the power of ice cream can do.

At Sunday’s running of the 32nd McConnell’s Ice Cream Endurance Events in Goleta, the masters women put on a stimulating 10-kilometer race with the top three finishers breaking the division course record.

Mary Jones of Ventura is the new course record holder as she wiped out Melissa Marsted’s 4-year-old time of 39:32 with a winning mark of 38 minutes,  32 seconds. Also passing the old time were second-place Cindy Crawford in 38:55 and third-place Chrystee Bradley in 38:08.

All participants and those in attendance at the McConnell’s events received free ice cream at the end of the day.

Santa Barbara teacher Aaron Gillen was back on the road and looking strong, winning the 10k in an impressive 34:12. Michael Shalhoub was second in 34:41 and Ricky Ho third in 34:44.

Goleta’s Justin Torrellas ran away with the 5k race in 17:07. Matthew Preiss of Camarillo was next in 18:49 followed by Bill Daley in 18:51.

Elizabeth North of Arroyo Grande won the women’s race in 21:36 and had the best age graded time in the race. Second for the women went to Celeste Marx in 21:45, with Anne Thwing third in 22:09.

In the water, Dos Pueblos High’s Grant Schroeder captured the chilly mile swim at Goleta Beach in 19:30. Karen Schultz was the women’s winner and second overall in 21:33.

Stepan Paul won the 10k run, 1-mile swim biathlon in 62 minutes. Eric Witmer (62:10), and women’s winner Dawn Schroeder (73:39) finished second and third, respectively.