Runners seeking ‘Heritage’ head to high school

Jeff Benson

Robert Cunard is a bit nervous about competing in his first Harbor

Heritage Run on Saturday.

“I will probably be shuffling up Cliff Drive, like I’ve heard from

a lot of people,” Newport Harbor High School’s assistant principal

said. “People say when you get there, it’s like hitting a wall. But I

think I’ll do all right.”

Cunard will be among an expected 1,000 people competing in the

18th annual race, which serves as the high school PTA’s biggest

fundraiser each year.

The Harbor Heritage Run typically raises about $30,000 for the

Newport Harbor PTA, Cunard said.

The funds directly support academic initiatives such as

school-wide tutoring programs, instructional supplies,

counseling-office support and special academic programs, Principal

Michael Vossen said.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Cunard said. “It’s a fun way to spend

your Saturday morning. I’ve been getting up early and doing a little

work on my own to make sure I don’t embarrass Newport Harbor too

badly.”

Colleen Barney, of Newport Beach, a 2003 World Masters Athletics

Championship gold medalist, will participate with her two daughters.

Barney’s coach, Al Joyner, will also race with his daughter, Mary

Ruth Joyner. Joyner, who’s mentored several Olympic jumpers, is the

husband of late Olympian Florence Griffith-Joyner.

The Newport Harbor High band, dance team and cheerleading squads

will entertain, and photographers will provide complimentary photos

for those arriving early, according to race chairwoman Amy Tennyson.

A free health and fitness fair inside the stadium will provide

refreshments, information and other services.

Race events begin at 7:30 a.m. with an aerobic warm-up on the

school’s track.

A 2K fun run begins at 8 a.m. on 16th Street near the main parking

lot. A 5K race will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the “Kids’

Klassic” race at 9:15 a.m. for ages 5 to 7 and a 9:30 a.m. miler for

kids 8 to 10.

Organizers said participants can register from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

today on Irvine Avenue in front of the school or at 6:30 a.m.

Saturday in the stadium.

“It’s a great community event that brings us all together,”

Tennyson said. “We’ve got a really good fitness fair and some really

good food to sample.”

* JEFF BENSON is the news assistant and may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at jeff.benson@latimes.com.