Fort Ord 25K: Stephen Derenzo Owns the M80-99 Field

• Sole finisher and champion: Stephen Derenzo, 84, of Pinole, CA, completed the 25K in 7:10:27 — averaging 27:43 per mile across the course.
• Steadfast to the finish: Derenzo held his position consistently through the race, maintaining his place in the men's field from the Skyline segment onward.

Stephen Derenzo didn't just finish the Fort Ord Trail Run 25K — he won it outright in the M80-99 age group, because finishing is winning when you're 84 years old and covering 25 kilometers of Monterey trail. In cool, damp conditions — 53°F with 91% humidity — Derenzo worked through every mile at a 27:43-per-mile pace and crossed the line in 7:10:27.

There was no competition to speak of within his age group, but the real story is simpler and more compelling than any close race: an 84-year-old man from Pinole showed up, took on a trail course that would challenge runners a generation younger, and got it done. That's the whole recap, and it needs no embellishment.