Runners take the Scenic route

June Casagrande

CORONA DEL MAR -- If you’ve got to run, you might as well do it here.

This scenic, quaint neighborhood on the bluffs overlooking the ocean is

one of the prettiest places around for putting Pumas to the pavement.

That’s why they call the annual race the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K: It’s

just plain pretty.

“I love Corona del Mar; it’s just so beautiful,” said Nanci Berge, an

Irvine resident participating in the race for the second time this year.

The scenery, she said, more than makes up for the fact that it’s a hilly

course. Though she lost about three minutes this year from her previous

time, finishing the course at about 27 1/2 minutes, just taking part in

the race is a win, she said.

The race, sponsored by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, is in

its 21st year. And it seems like there’s no end in sight for the momentum

the race continues to build. Funds raised from the event, which exceeded

$75,000 last year, go toward city of Newport Beach youth services and to

Corona del Mar beautification. Last year’s event brought in about 2,000

runners. This year’s tally will probably beat out last year’s count,

organizers said, assisted in part by better weather than last year’s

light drizzle.

A low cloud cover and a little coolness in the breeze gave way to some

subtle sunshine, making it a perfect day for families such as the

Halvorsens of Coto de Caza.

“We take the kids to lots of nearby events, and this is a great one,”

said Treacy Halvorsen, who along with husband Erik watch their two boys

tear up the pavement all over Southern California.

Christian, 6, and Erik, 8, are both top-notch runners, with Erik often

finishing in the top three in most of the races he enters.

“I like it because I can win medals and trophies,” Erik said.

Christian seconding his big brother’s motion, “Me too.” The younger

boy, too, is an excellent runner who finished first in his age group at

the Dana Point Turkey Trot last year.

But at the Scenic 5K, all children are No. 1 -- literally. All the

youngsters in the “Dolphin Dash” portion of the race wear a No. 1 as

their entry number.

But those who come for the run, stay for the food and fun.

Food booths, where runners could get a free meal as part of their

entry fee, included some of the area’s best restaurants -- places such as

Five Crowns and Gina’s.

“People really enjoy themselves. It’s definitely getting bigger,” said

Jim West, who along with Bob Ditullio was a volunteer representative of

sponsor Coast Newport Properties. The two men were handing out free

bottles of water to runners as they crossed the finish line.

“It’s fun,” West said.

“You get to see everybody with their tongues hanging out,” Dutillio

added, handing a water bottle to a sweating, grimacing man.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .