By Zach Rosenberg
Staff Writer
Mira Costa Choir performed the National Anthem on Oct 2 to kick off the annual Manhattan Beach 10k Run which is held before the Hometown Fair in Manhattan Beach.
The National Anthem to commence the Manhattan Beach 10k was sung by Mira Costa Choir’s Vocal Ensemble and is lead by Teacher and Director of Choir Michael Hayden. At the end of the anthem, the gun was shot off and the race began.
“They have performed for the beginning of the run for many years,” Hayden said. “It is quite the exciting performance in front of 3000 runners.”
Costa Choir also participated in the run by handing out waters and cheering on the runners throughout the course. The choir cleans up after the race by picking up trash and taking down everything from the race.
“This is part of our volunteer effort for the run and is also our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Hayden said. “The Mira Costa Choirs and parents participate in providing workers for the water stops, clean up and traffic management.”
The Manhattan Beach 10k Run is a 6.2 miles race that starts at third street and valley drive, goes all the way through west Manhattan to 36th street and back to the pier on the strand where the finish is. The first place finisher, Simon Schmidt ended the race with a time of 31:35, beating second place David Cardona by 18 seconds.
“I’m thrilled with how the 39th running of the Manhattan Beach 10K went,” MB 10k Race Director Rachel Judson said. “The compliments we’ve received from the participants and community have been outstanding. I’ve been told it was one of the best ever.”
Official MB 10k Website: http://www.mb10k.com
According to Judson, the Manhattan Beach 10k Run is one of the few road races left in the country. The event is non-profitable and is volunteer organized by the race committee and volunteer staff. The race raised approximately $560,000 which will be donated back to the community in various ways like health & fitness enhancements to the recreation facilities of local schools and parks and Scholarships to Manhattan Beach high school seniors.
“Racing around my hometown definitely makes the event more exciting to me,” Schmidt said. “The level of support and encouragement from the participants, volunteers, and spectators was outstanding. There wasn’t a block on the course where someone wasn’t cheering. The fact that the race profits are directly returned to the community is also what makes this event special.”
The race was held before the Hometown Fair which took place on Live Oak Park, Dorsey Field, and Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach. The fair is where local businesses, clubs, and sports come together and sell food, drinks, clothing, and other goods, as well as having fair games and competitions for the public.
About Hometown Fair: http://www.mbfair.org
“The Hometown Fair is a great place for the community to come together and enjoy a nice weekend eating great food, having a great time, in a great city,” Mira Costa sophomore Sean Parsa said. “For me, It’s a great experience working at the Costa soccer booth because I get to meet new people, talk to old friends, and hangout with the community.”
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