DASHING FOR DEVONSHIRE; RUNNERS BEAT CHILL, HILL FOR LAPD.

Byline: Brooke Olson Daily News Staff Writer

Shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, Mira Lock tucked her head down, braced against the onslaught of the wind and began her 10-kilometer run.

``I can do this,'' yelled the 45-year old Tarzana resident over the howl of the wind.

And she did. Nearly an hour later she completed the run on Zelzah Avenue, making her one of nearly 2,000 runners who participated this year in the footrace to benefit the Los Angeles Police Department's Devonshire Division and its programs for youths.

Sponsored by the Police Activity League Supporters and the Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire, the seventh annual Devonshire Dash 5K and 10K Run/Walk raised more than $40,000.

The race course followed the boundaries of California State University, Northridge, beginning and ending on Zelzah Avenue. Medals went to the top-three male runners and to the top-three female runners in each age category.

``This is the first time I've won in this division,'' said Jerry Vanmeter, first in the five-kilometer race among men 60 and older.

``I came in at 24:45. I'm getting awfully slow,'' he said.

Vanmeter, who has been running for 23 years, recently celebrated his 60th birthday and is well on his way toward his goal: running in every single county in Southern California.

Families, student athletes and hard-core runners all turned out. Those who weren't training for the Los Angeles Marathon were just glad to finish the race.

``The conditions were tough,'' Lock said. ``The wind was really cold and it was difficult to go up the hill.''

A 12-year-old runner, Jennifer Bowen, also found the race tough.

``It was fun - tough, but fun,'' said Jennifer, also a gymnast. ``I hated going up the hill though.''

It was the second time she ran in the annual event, which attracted her after her older sister ran in it.

Organizers said the run was hard to get started but then went well.

``It was a good race. The people enjoyed it, and it didn't rain,'' said Officer Robert LeQuin of the Devonshire Division.

``No one hit the pavement this year,'' he added.

By 9:30 a.m., the running was nearly over and actor Chad Everett began to present the gold, silver and bronze medals.

``It was colder than heck this morning,'' Everett said, ``but it was great.''

He called both the turnout and the times amazing.

``Some runners were just seconds apart from being first or second,'' he added.

It was Everett's first time at the Devonshire Dash, but he has been a volunteer for other LAPD events since 1972.

``These guys are my heroes,'' he said, motioning to the officers whose police cars and trucks lined the CSUN parking lot.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO Runners start the Devonshire Dash to benefit the Los Angeles Police Department's Devonshire Division and its youth programs.

David Sprague/Daily News