The 40th annual Dick Houston Memorial Woodminster Cross Country race at Redwood Regional and Joaquin Miller parks is Sunday at 9 a.m.

The Woodminster race is a challenging 9-mile hilly loop trail course that runs through the Oakland Hills. It is a single race and is handicapped by gender and age.

Last year's winner was then 66-year-old Russ Kiernan. Chris Phipps, who was 34, had the fastest time. The top senior (50 and older) was Montclair resident Rich DeGlymes.

A high school division was introduced last year. Thomas Dileo and Jessica Phuong of Oakland High School were the boys and girls winners, respectively.

Division winners receive trophies and prize money is awarded to the top overall finishers. This year, the winner earns $100, second place gets $50 and third place receives $25.

"One of the reasons why it's handicapped is it's narrow," race director Gareth Fong said of the course. "It's also an opportunity for anyone to win it, not just young guys."

Fong has been involved with the race for 10 years.

The Woodminster is the final leg of the East Bay Triple Crown. The others are the Tilden Park Tough Ten (10 miles) and the Lake Chabot Trail Challenge (13.5 miles).

The Woodminster is a similar format to the Dipsea Race in Mill Valley.

About halfway through the course is a one-mile hill known as "The Woodmonster." It is featured as a highlight of the course because of the tough challenge it presents to the competitors.

The starting line is by the Pinewood picnic area of Joaquin Miller Park off Joaquin Miller Road. The course then follows through several hilly trails.

Fong hopes to have about 300 runners participate in the race. As of Tuesday, about 130 registered, according to Fong. He said it is common for runners to register the morning of the race.

Pre-registration is $15 and is $20 on race day.

For more information, call Fong at (510) 655-8228 or log on to http://home.alamedanet.net/~mhovermale/.