Blake Fonda from Lodi achieves his goal and takes first place at Irvine Half Marathon in Woodbridge

Blake Fonda from Lodi was the winner of the Irvine Half Marathon Saturday.

Blake Fonda from Lodi, a member of the Westmont College cross country and track team, was trying to qualify for a national marathon and did so by taking first place in the 28th annual Irvine Half Marathon at Woodbridge Saturday morning.

Fonda said he ran a time of just under 1:12 to take first place in the event. The half marathon included about 1,000 runners and the 5K race included another 500.

It was the first half marathon for the 21-year-old Fonda, a graduate from Lodi High School.

“I was trying to qualify for the NAIA full marathon at the end of May,” Fonda said. “The standard was just (around one hour and 13 minutes, so I was going for that today.”

“It was good, it was pretty flat,” Fonda said. “There were some water sections, which was actually kind of fun. I kind of got my shoes a little soggy but I didn’t mind. It was perfect.”

Fonda was encouraged by his father, Doug.

“I’m surprised because because he was about two minutes ahead of what he needed to qualify (for the marathon),” his father said. “It was exciting.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com

To see more photos of Saturday’s event, please click here

Here’s our first story from the half marathon

For race results please go to the half marathon website by clicking here