The media focus was rightfully focused on the vital battle for a place/or places on Uncle Sam's London-bound Olympic team -and it was a duel eventually won  by San Diegans John Nunn over Tim Seaman (4:04:38 to 4:05:50), after an all-out, dramatic tussle that saw the lead swing back and forth seevral times in the final 5K. 

   With the Olympic A standard of 3:59 out of reach this early in the competiton year, and a nation allowed just one B qualifier per event, this became an all-out battle for first place and that lone Olympic spot. 

 And three others - new Shore AC members Ben Shorey and Erich Cordero, along with Patrick Stroupe - stayed in that hunt until the 25th and 30th K, along with Nunn and Seaman.  All five reached midway around the 2:03/2:04 mark, well under B pace.  

  But when only Nunn and Seaman could continue at that clip - this is such an unforgiving event - the others' times slipped and were not really representatative of their true talents. 

 Shorey, the 2011 National 50K champion, held on for third in 4:17.40, Stroupe took fourth in 4:19:43 and Cordero hung in there for fifth in 4:28.04.  Nearly a decade ago, Cordero and best pal/training partner Yandy Nelson Alvarez were two of the best walkers in Cuba, but left to seek the freedoms they knew they'd have as Americans.

  The Cordero/Alvarez story is a truly inspiring one, and now Cordeo gets to represent USA in the IAAF World Cup 50K coming up May 11-12 in Saransk, Russia.Alvarez, unfortunately, was unable to finish after going 25K about 2:06 in a solid sixth place, and continuing on to 35K.  But an injury problem then put him on the sidelines. Still, he will have a chance to make the USA World Cup team at the 20k Trials April 1 in Eugene, Oregon.  Taylor-Talcott, too,will bid for a World Cup spot, in the women's 20K.

   Hamstring troubles forced Dave Talcott, Erin's husband, out of the race after three laps of the 1,250-meter circuit up and down on Santee's Mast Boulevard.  But he soon switched roles and joined Erin's aid station team.

  This was an outstandingly produced event staged with all the Olympic Trials trappings by a hard-working commitee led by Santee's own Tracy Sundlun and race director Philip Dunn, the 2000-2004-2008 USA 50K Olympian who now serves on the USATF Board of Directors.

   Special guests at the race included USATF Interim Director Mike McNees; newly-crowned Olympic Marathon Trials winner Meb Keflelzighi, headed for his third Games; and earlier Olympians Willie Banks and Dan Browne.

   In  a most poignant moment, Keflezighi looked back to his warm friendship with Olympic Trials 50K competitor Al Heppner, when both were pointing to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and training together at the USOC Training Center.  Tragically, Heppner would take his own life three days after the 2004 50K Trial race in nearby Chula Vista.

   "Al is still in my thoughts and prayers," said "Meb."   "I will always cherish his memory.  He will always be with us."

   The athletes were greeted by Santee officials at a gala welcome ceremony on Friday, and then saluted all over again at a gala Carlton Oaks Golf Club post-race awards banquet.

   Two-time Olympian Allen James (4:39:24), Ray Sharp (4:41:45), Michael Mannozzi (4:48:19) and Dave McGovern (5:24:18) also completed the distance.  But unable to compete - stranded after flight cancellations in Salt Lake City - was veteran Jonathan Matthews.

   McGovern - who was competing in his seventh Olympic Trials - a record distinction he now shares with hammer thrower Ed Burke - will now shift focus to his assignment as USA head coach at the World Cup walks in Saransk.

   A big part of the 50K event, too, was former Shore AC president and national walking champion  Ray Funkhouser, here as one of the seven members of the 50K judges panel.