by Mark McDermott
The Manhattan Beach 10k Run faces a dilemma each year, mainly due to its longstanding success as one of the most iconic races in the country. How does an event that has become a treasured tradition continue to evolve?
The 46th Annual MB 10k, which takes place Saturday morning, answers this question. The run is adding two significant elements, each aimed at different aspects of the event. First, the Road Runners Club of America has designated the run as the California 10k State Championship race. As a result, his year the race will attract more elite runners and give the competitive side of the event a sharper edge. Second, the MB 10k Health Expo is expanding both in quantity and quality, increasing the number of booths from 16 to 26 and doing so in a way that will give substantive goodies to runners and health enthusiasts generally.
“One of my missions every year is to introduce something new,” said Michael Weisberg, the MB 10k race director. “And hopefully more than just something, because with all of the other options that people have of things to do on a Saturday morning, we have to stay current and fresh. If we do the same thing every year, they’re going to find something else to do.”
The MB 10k Health Expo has added 10 vendors with an eye towards providing more of what runners might like post-race. New offerings will include vegan tacos from Abbot’s Butcher, Oakberry Açai Bowls, protein bars from Built Bars, Bahamii date and nut Energy Bites, electrolyte hydration from Roar Organics, Kinera breakfast biscuits made from culturally inspired, climate-friendly ingredients, and non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing Co.But for all its newfangledness, the 10k remains decidedly homespun. The MB 10k is the only race among the top 100 ranked road races in the United States that forgoes corporate sponsorship.
Mayor Richard Montgomery, who will serve as the race’s honorary starter when it kicks off at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, said the biggest attribute of the MB 10k is it takes place throughout downtown Manhattan Beach.
“The MB 10k is special for two main reasons, obvious health benefits notwithstanding,” Montgomery said. “It is a race that runs up and down through the center of our city, and ends up along our iconic beach for the finish. Second, our MB 10k is a race organized, and controlled by local residents for local residents. No professional road race athletes or corporate sponsors anywhere.”
The mayor said the 10k is also unique in the way it forms part of Hometown Fair weekend.
“Race results are posted on the fence at the MB Old Hometown Fair,” Montgomery said. “No other 10k compares. But don’t tell anyone outside of MB about it.”
Weisberg said the 10k is upping the ante this year. Not only are results being posted at the Hometown Fair, but a 20 ft. long banner with the name of every participant will also be hanging at the Hometown Fair.
“People can take a picture with this big, gigantic banner, and point to their name and show that they ran,” Weisberg said.
The final thing that is new is that more people will run the MB 10k than at any time in recent history, and perhaps ever. The run was expected to “sell out” by Wednesday, after racing the course capacity of 4,250 runners. Usually, about 10 percent are no-shows, meaning somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,800 runners will likely run, walk, or otherwise ambulate in the 46th MB 10k.
“It’s a really good kickoff to the hometown fair weekend,” Weisberg said. “We take a lot of pride in going to the Fair afterward, and seeing so many people in their MB 10k finisher tee shirts.” ER
