We are proud to announce that the Manhattan Beach 10k was selected by the Road Runners Club of America as their California State 10K Championship for the second year in a row! At our October 7th race the RRCA will give out Championship Awards for Open, 40+, 50+, and 60+ groups. We are honored to be chosen and would like to thank the RRCA for this special designation once again!
MB10K Spotlight: Jack Tsu & Major Avignon
MB10K Spotlight
As we look back at our celebrated history, there are two people we'd like to highlight in this newsletter - Jack Tsu and Major Avignon.
Meet Jack Tsu
His son Elbert, pictured above with his dad, shared the following with us about Jack:
“Jack Tsu was born August 2nd, 1921 in Shanghai, China. His parents sent him to the University of Michigan in 1941. He got his doctorate at Caltech where he met his wife Doris (they were married for 74 years). He got a job at Northrop where he worked on the Flying Wing and Titan 2 Rocket. His family moved to Manhattan Beach in 1966.
He developed an ulcer and his doctor suggested he start running to relieve his stress, so he read Kenneth Cooper’s book “Aerobics.” This started his daily jogging that he never stopped even on exotic trips to foreign countries and adventures like Everest basecamp at 18,000 feet, running a 10K in China, and carrying the Olympic torch before the 2008 Olympics.
For 30 years in a row he ran the MB 10K and won 15 gold medals in a row in his age division. He ran his last MB 10K when he was 93. In 2016 he had two brain bleeds which stopped him from jogging but he can still be seen everyday walking around the block.”
Our Q & A With Jack
Did your family or friends ever run the MB10K with you?
Elbert and his wife Liane jogged with me during my last 2 races and my niece and nephew jogged with me once.
Have you held onto all of your MB10K Finisher tees?
I have a few current ones but I've given many of them away to family and friends.
How do you think running has impacted your life?
Running has had an immense impact. I started jogging after getting an ulcer and didn’t stop jogging till recently. I still walk around the block even after 2 strokes last year.
What is the secret to your longevity?
Jogging and walking at least 5 days a week and drinking Dragon Well Tea. I never liked to run but I did it because it was good for me.
At the wise age of 96, any words of wisdom for us? (FYI we have Jack to thank for having the 90+ Age Division for our awards & for years we made special arrangements for him to run in the bib number that reflected his age!)
The secret to living a long life is to jog 5 days a week.
Meet Major Avignon
Major lives up to his name and does a MAJOR amount of work for the MB10K! He and his wife Linda, pictured above with him, are Race Committee members. He is a P.I.E.R. member, meaning he has participated in every race and his company Water, Inc. is a race sponsor providing water for our participants.
Our Q & A With Major
When and why did you start your company? We hear you were selling water before it was popular!
I started Water, Inc. in 1977 after spending 13 years in the insurance business. When I started Water, Inc. marketing residential water filtration was a new concept but I saw a huge opportunity. Sparklett's and Arrowhead were doing well selling bottled water and our filtered water was just as good as their bottled product.
Tell us about your company Water, Inc.
We distribute nationally water improvement products and high end appliances through plumbing and appliance showrooms. Our companies employ 24 people at our Carson office, showroom and warehouse.
Where are your products available?
Consumers looking at doing a home remodel or are building a new home have an opportunity to see and purchase our 8 registered brands at over 1,000 showrooms nationally.
What sets you apart from other water businesses?
What sets Water, Inc. apart from other suppliers of product is our dedication to service. Our products carry a 1 year in home parts and labor warranty. Our brands are not commodities and we go the "extra mile" to prove that with excellent customer service.
You wear several hats with the Manhattan Beach 10K, how did you get involved with the race?
I have run every Manhattan Beach 10K since 1978. Initially doing race registrations at the Joslyn Center and soon thereafter joining the 10K Committee.
When did you start having a booth at the race expo?
Passing our Body Glove bottled water after the race has been our pleasure since the beginning of the race expo.
What do you love most about the MB10K?
Loving the MB10K is very easy as a participant and being a part of this great community event each year. Manhattan Beach is a special town and our Manhattan Beach 10K Run totally reflects that spirit.
Water, Inc.
If you wish to reach them directly please call 1-800-322-WATER (9283).
For more about their products, click here. To learn more about their water filters and home products, click here. Office hours are: Monday-Friday, 8AM – 5PM Pacific Time.
Please Note!
Online registration for the MB10K is going on NOW at www.mb10k.com and ends October 2, 2017.
In-store registration opens September 1st at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach and ends October 6th.
EARLY REGISTRATION PRICING NOW - SEPTEMBER 25TH:
$30 Youth (14 & under)
$35 Adults
Image Credit: Elbert Tsu & Rachel Judson
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES & SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
COME CELEBRATE OUR 40TH BIRTHDAY WITH US AND RUN OR WALK - OCTOBER 7, 2017 AT 7:30 AM!
We'll see you at the starting line!
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