The Wrigley River Run, a series of races hosted by the Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation, will return this month after a 28-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s event will feature a 5K, 10K and 10-mile race, as well as a Tadpole Trot for children under the age of 10 and a race for runners with strollers. The first race will begin at 7 a.m. on race day, Saturday, Oct. 30.
The Wrigley River Run first began when Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation co-founders Gavin McKiernan and Danny Amat—then board members of the Wrigley Association—wanted to hold more events in Wrigley to foster a sense of community and attract people to the neighborhood.
“If you have events, [residents] have more pride in their neighborhood because they’ve got fun things going on,” McKiernan said, noting that events also help promote local businesses. “That improves the neighborhood little by little and in lots of different ways.”
The Wrigley River Run will begin near Long Beach Beer Lab. Different paths will go along the Los Angeles River, with the longest stretching up to the Dominguez Gap Wetlands.
The run usually takes place in the first week of June, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented organizers from putting together the race. The last race took place in June 2019.
Since it will now take place in October, the event will also feature a costume contest. The last run attracted upwards of 1,200 attendees, according to McKiernan.
Because the run will take place outdoors, masks are not required during the event. However, those who want to take advantage of deals at Long Beach Beer Lab will have to wear a mask inside the business.
Every runner will get an official run time, a medal and free photos of themselves running that will be available online after the race. Water stations will be present along each route.
The Wrigley River Run is unique in the fact that it also features musical performances along the running route, usually made up of local school bands and performers, which McKiernan said gives the run a “community feel.”
“A lot of events don’t have that,” he said. “It’s pretty unusual to have as much entertainment as we have along the course, that’s something we’re proud of.”
McKiernan said the kids’ run is a highlight of the day.
“Kids of course are great when they run into events like this because they don’t pace themselves at all, so the start line is just this mad dash of all these Usain Bolt wannabes flying off the start line,” he said. “That’s a lot of fun to watch the enthusiasm and energy and excitement.”
Streets will be closed along the route on the day of the event. Those who don’t participate in the run are invited to cheer on runners on the sidelines.
“It’s a lot of fun to watch people go by. Some people say it’s more fun than running sometimes, cheering for people,” McKiernan said. “Come out, maybe play some music, hand out some popsicles, or just stand there and cheer and give people some encouragement. Runners and walkers always really appreciate that.”
Tickets for the Wrigley River Run are available online.
After the October event, the Wrigley River Run will return during its regularly scheduled date on the first weekend of June 2022.
