Redondo Beach's St. Patrick’s Day 5K To Honor Local Olympic Champ

REDONDO BEACH, CA -- Olympic track and field gold medalist and Redondo Beach resident Steve Lewis will be honored with the inaugural Running Icon Award at the 14th annual Village Runner St. Patrick’s Day 5K Race this Sunday.

“I am extremely honored and excited on being the first recipient of the running Icon Award at the 14th Saint Patrick's Day 5K,” Lewis said. “I believe that all runners at every level share a common goal of striving to achieve personal excellence. I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing event.”

Organizers said it was natural to select Lewis for the first-ever award.

“His selection is based on his multiple iconic performances as a track and field athlete, which has solidified him as one of the greatest runners ever in the sport,” race organizer Mike Ward said in a statement.

Lewis won his first Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter dash in 1988 at 19 at the Seoul Olympics, setting a world junior record -- a record he still holds. He also won the gold in the team 4-by-400 meter relay at that same Olympic.

Lewis also won gold in the 4x400 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, helping his team to break the world record.

He was the youngest person to win the gold medal in the 400-meter dash in Olympic history.

Courtesy photo