More than 5,000 Runners to Take Over the Streets Saturday

Seal Beach’s Old Town residents and commuters are being asked to choose carefully where they park their cars overnight because roads will be closed throughout the area Saturday morning for the 37th annual Run Seal Beach 5/10k run.

With 5,400 runners expected for this year’s race, Old Town streets will be flooded with a sea of runners starting with the kids’ race at 7:30 a.m. and ending with the 5k and 10k runs that are usually completed by 9:30 a.m. As most roads in the area will be closed during that time, residents who need to travel in the morning should make alternate arrangements. Additionally, residents are advised to look out for no parking signs posted overnight on certain streets to avoid being ticketed or towed.

With pre-registration already exceeding previous years’ participation, this year’s race will have a record turnout, said Marc Loopesko, Run Seal Beach president.

“The turnout this year is going to be amazing. I think it has gotten out by word of mouth,” said Loopesko. “It’s a very easy course to run, and it’s beautiful. At one turn you are facing the San Bernardino Mountains with snow on them, and at the other turn you are facing the Pacific Ocean to the finish line.”

Run Seal Beach is a longstanding community tradition aimed at raising money for local programs. Each year, the event raises as much as $100,000 for community programs. Since 2003, the race has raised nearly $700,000 for local programs such as high school booster clubs and junior lifeguard scholarships.

This year, race organizers teamed up with the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce to offer discounts to runners at local businesses. Runners will be able to bring their race bibs back to Seal Beach businesses throughout the month of April for discounts for dining, shopping and services.

Today is the last day to register for the race.

Race Details

• Registration: Runners can register today in person and pick up race packets from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Marina Park community center, 151 Marina Drive.
• Cost: $35 for adults and $18 for children, $26 for groups of 10 or more
• Race Date: April 2
• Race Time: Kids’ race starts at 7:30 a.m., the 5/10K runs start at 8 a.m., the 5K walk starts at 8:05 a.m.

• Where: The race starts at First Street and Marina Drive and ends at the pier.

 New this year

• The Run Back to Seal Beach local business discount program

• On their application, runners will tell a little about themselves so the announcer can tell the crowd about the runners as they approach the finish line.

• The fastest male and female runners will have their names engraved on the William T. Ayres plaque in honor of the race’s longtime president. The plaque will be posted at City Hall.