The inaugural Corona 5000, a 5K run and walk, is set for next weekend celebrating the history and spirit of the “Circle City,” officials said.
The event on Saturday, March 21 invites runners, walkers, families and history enthusiasts to lace up and experience the 3-mile loop that once made Corona famous.
“The roar of engines once echoed across Grand Boulevard in the early 1900s as thousands of fans lined the circular roadway for the famed Corona Road Races,” according to organizers of the event presented by Southwest Healthcare Corona Regional Medical Center in partnership with the city “From 1913 to 1916, drivers reached speeds approaching 100 miles per hour as up to 100,000 spectators cheered them on. Now, 110 years later, the same streets will come alive once again — this time powered by runners instead of race cars.”
Race Director Gary Kutscher said in a statement, “Set in the heart of Corona, California, the 5000 will capture the city’s historic small-town charm while delivering big-race energy. With Grand Boulevard’s perfectly round three-mile loop, we believe it has the potential to become one of the most unique and fastest 5Ks in the country. We’re honoring Corona’s past while creating a new tradition that brings the community together through fitness, fun and local pride while giving local businesses a platform to shine.”
Race day festivities are scheduled to start at the Corona Historic Civic Center, 815 W. Sixth St., with a pre-race expo at 6:30 a.m. featuring local vendors, entertainment and “community activations,” organizers said. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m., taking participants around the Grand Boulevard loop before finishing at a family-friendly, post-race festival that runs through noon.
The celebration will include refreshments, awards, entertainment and interactive displays highlighting Corona’s community, local businesses and civic partners.
“Grand Boulevard has always been part of Corona’s story, and it’s exciting to see it come alive again in a new way,” Mayor Jacque Casillas said in a statement. “More than a race, the Corona 5000 is about community, with neighbors cheering each other on, families making memories, and sharing the pride we have in our city as we honor our past and create something fun, healthy, and welcoming for all.”
More information about how to get involved or register for the event is online at Corona5000.com.