Runners from all over the world took part in Sunday’s Monterey Bay Half Marathon, but it was two from California who took top honors.

First place overall went to Ero Doce from Turlock. Doce, 28, finished the 13.1-mile course along the Monterey and Pacific Grove shoreline in 1 hours, 3 minutes and 56 seconds. Though he’s been running since he was a child, this was his first time running in Monterey.

“I saw the competition was pretty good, and I wanted to see how fast I could go,” Doce said. “I’ve been running distance for years, but I started training for this race in July.”

One of the highlights for Doce was the community aspect of the race, in addition to the simplicity of the course.

“You get so much support from the other runners here,” Doce said. “During that last 3 to 4 miles, it really helps to get that push.”

Liza Reichert, 37, from Moss Beach was the top woman’s finisher at 1:17:15.Fifth place overall was Emily Allton, 28, from Portland, Oregon. Allton and her mother Karen Owen, 58, run a half-marathon together every year and picked out Monterey because of the competition and scenic views.

Allton explained competition for long-distance runners means having people who run a similar pace to you. “It helps when you can see others around you and push yourself or slow down,” Allton said. “I went a little too fast, so I had a brutal final 5K. I didn’t PR (personal record), but the support was really good. The tunnel with the music and lights was awesome, and the views were amazing.”

Owen, who stayed with her daughter with friends in Carmel, placed second in the women’s 55-60 age group.

David Sidhu, from Bakersfield, came with his family to run. Like many families, his own came with signs and flowers for him, celebrating his first successful race.

“This was my first time running, I started about three months ago after really setting some time aside for it,” Sidhu said. “The course was beautiful and the community is great. They really encourage you. I usually run with music, so this was nice for a first time.”

Sidhu joked with his wife that during the race he told himself he wouldn’t do it again. But after finishing, he’s feeling more hopeful.

“Now that I’ve completed the course, I feel great. I would do it again.”

While many returning runners are locals, Corey Hooten, 52, from Lafayette, Colorado is originally from Monterey and has been returning to the half marathon since 2011. “I’ve been running for 30 years, and my parents still live here in Monterey,” Hooten said.

Hooten is part of a running group in Boulder, Colorado and about 40 of them traveled together to run in Monterey. Hooten said she was excited to travel to her hometown for the yearly event, and came in first in her age group.

“I’ll come back, I’ve been wanting to,” Hooten said. “Now that my kids are out of high school, we can start taking more time before the holidays to travel.”

This year’s race had about 1,000 more competitors than last year’s event. Chairman of the Big Sur Marathon Foundation Dino Pick said despite the influx in runners, the Foundation was able to host with their usual staff and volunteers. No major injuries were reported.

The top finishers were given a plaque and medallion during an awards ceremony at Custom House Plaza. The winners were local and from abroad, with plaques given out in several categories including age and gender.