From a 10-miler to a 300-yard Tadpole Trot, the Wrigley River Run has something for everyone.
Runners, novices and kids have one month to prepare for the 16th annual Wrigley River Run and Tadpole Trot, a flat, scenic race through Long Beach with options for a 5K, 10K, 10-miler and more.
The June 1 run will feature four different live music locations to keep runners encouraged and entertained, water stations throughout the course and free pizza and discounted beer for participants following the event. Runners will begin at various times depending on which race option they choose, then run along the Los Angeles River and through the Wrigley neighborhood.
Experienced runners can earn up to three medals by running the 10-mile route with enough leftover time to run the 10K route immediately after, while parents can push their children in strollers for the “Baby Jogging” route and children can complete the 300-yard “Tadpole Trot.”
All participants will receive a medal, and the first 300 to show up on race day will receive a “Wrigley River Run” T-shirt.
Race options and the accompanying start time for each route is below:
- Onsite registration: 6 a.m.
- 10-miler: 7 a.m.
- 10K: 7:30 a.m.
- 5K baby jogging stroller race: 8:15 a.m.
- 5K: 8:30 a.m.
- 300-yard Toddler Tadpole Trot: 9:30 a.m.
- 1K Tadpole Trot: 9:40 a.m.
- Awards Ceremony: 9:45 a.m.
Time limits are set for the 10-miler, 10K and 5K races:
- 10-miler must be completed in two hours and 40 minutes
- 10K course must be completed in two hours and 10 minutes
- 5K course must be completed in one hour and 10 minutes
Those who want to run with their squad can compete in the Wrigley Cup Team Challenge in either the 5K, 10K or 10-mile runs. Teams of up to three people will complete the same route and combine their times. The fastest team will have their member’s names and times engraved on the Wrigley Cup and receive bragging rights for the entire year.
The Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation is hosting its annual Pizza Pig Out event the night before the run, open to the entire community and runners who want to load up on carbs and sample pizzas from restaurants throughout the city. The Pizza Pig Out will take place May 31 at 6 p.m. at 520 W Willow St. with pizza samples from Buono’s, Long Beach Beer Lab, PizzaxTwo, Big E Pizza and more.
Volunteers are needed to help the event run smoothly by handing out medals, T-shirts and water, supervising the event expo and barricades and cheering on all the runners. Organizations that register 20 or more youth volunteers are eligible to apply for a Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation grant.
For more information on how to register and prices for the different race times in the 16th annual Wrigley River Run, visit wrigleyriverrun.com/.
