Napa Valley 5K — F70-74: Helzberg Wins in the Rain

• Carol Helzberg (San Geronimo, CA) took the F70-74 title in 34:01 at a 10:57/mi pace — more than 40 seconds clear of the field.
• Cheri Silveira (San Jose, CA) was the closest challenger, finishing 2nd in 34:43 — the only other finisher under 35 minutes.
• Patricia Bardwell and Sheryl Heikes waged the tightest battle of the day, separated by just 21 seconds (43:52 vs. 44:13) for 3rd and 4th.
• Carla Dittmer (Ada, MI) rounded out the seven-woman field in 7th with a finish of 51:35.

Seven women toed the line in a chilly, rain-soaked Napa morning — 41°F, light rain, and 85% humidity — and Carol Helzberg made the conditions look like no obstacle at all. The 71-year-old from San Geronimo ran a composed 10:57/mi to cross in 34:01, claiming the F70-74 win with authority.

Cheri Silveira of San Jose pushed the pace at 11:10/mi and finished 2nd in 34:43 — the only two women in the field to break 35 minutes. Behind them, a gap of nearly nine minutes opened before the next cluster arrived, where the real drama unfolded. Patricia Bardwell, running on home turf in Napa, held off Sheryl Heikes by 21 seconds — 43:52 to 44:13 — to secure 3rd in a tight battle for the bottom of the podium.

Judith Brady (5th, 47:15) and Nancy Koenig (6th, 47:21) ran the race's closest finish, just six seconds apart at 15:12 and 15:14 per mile respectively — a near-identical result that nonetheless gave Brady the edge. Carla Dittmer of Ada, MI, completed all seven finishers in 51:35. On a raw, wet March morning in the Napa Valley, every one of them got it done.