Still running with the spirit

Marisa O’Neil

Thousands of runners, walkers, strollers and toddlers will hit the

streets around Fashion Island on Sunday for the annual Spirit Run.

The race raises funds for Harbor View, Eastbluff, Andersen,

Lincoln and Newport Coast elementary schools. In its 20 years, it has

grown from a small neighborhood fundraiser to one that has raised

more than $1 million for the five schools since it began, and more

than $100,000 a year.

“We’re always trying to bump it up, always thinking of ways to

make it bigger,” race chair Dina Mead said.

Adding kids’ races to the 10K run and 5K run and walk has helped

increase participation over the years. Of the 5,500 participants in

last year’s race, 38% were younger than 12, race organizers said.

Lincoln Elementary School’s race chair, Lisa Pearson, got involved

this year after seeing how excited her first-grade son, Max, was

about running in last year’s race.

“When he came home from kindergarten and wore the [race] T-shirt

four days straight and the medal four days straight, I knew I had to

[get involved],” Pearson said.

Children who are too young to attend any of the schools can still

participate in the race, Mead said. Children 3 and younger even have

their own 25-yard Toddler Trot.

“We put a rug down for them because the little toddlers fall,”

Mead said.

And runners in the 5K won’t be hallucinating if they see a giant

yellow banana dashing down the course. Jamba Juice is challenging

runners to pass the fast-footed fruit in the Banana Man Chase, with

T-shirts and a year’s worth of smoothies at stake.

A race expo with giveaways and live music will start at 7 a.m. and

continue through the races.

Proceeds from all the races will be split between the PTAs of the

three schools to pay for things such as additional teachers for art

and science, playground equipment and music programs.

“We’re not making this money to spend on extra frills,” Newport

Coast Elementary School race chair Lytie White said. “We’re providing

the things we got as children since the state doesn’t have money to

budget for these things anymore.”