Race with a view

Newport Beach residents came out in force Saturday to show some early morning city spirit at the 25th annual Corona del Mar 5k race and walk.

“Every year is special,” said race chairman Jim Skahan. “What makes it great? We run on the ocean, we run through the community.”

Just after 8 a.m., the first runners cruised through the morning fog down Goldenrod Avenue, gunning for the finish at Ocean Boulevard. Many people with homes along race route gathered in their front yards to get a close-up view of the action.

Balboa Island resident Darell Bryan has volunteered at the race for most of its 25 years. He took his spot Saturday at the entrance to the Goldenrod footbridge near the finish line. In his years working the race, Bryan said he’s seen some pretty bad crashes between high-speed runners on the narrow footbridge.

“It’s just part of the community spirit,” Bryan said, of volunteering his time.

The race, which featured competition for runners of all ages and abilities, drew an estimated 2,500 people.

As the racers trickled in, some faster than others, a line started forming for the popular restaurant row breakfast. Laguna Beach resident Dan Drewnowski, who makes a habit of running the Corona del Mar 5k each year, said the food is top shelf.

“Everyone else gives one water and a stale Saltine, but here you get the best food,” Drewnowski said.

Drewnowski ran the race with friend Margaret Hwang, of Aliso Viejo. He decorated purple and white striped shirts so they would stick out among the crowd of runners.

“It’s probably one of the nicest, most beautiful 5ks in the world,” Drewnowski said.

In the final heat, the youngest runners raced in the Dolphin Dash ? a half-mile loop starting and ending on Ocean Boulevard. No one comes in last place in the Dolphin Dash; each kid gets a medal.

The smallest race participants didn’t know quite what to do with their medals. The Brown triplets, three 8-month-old girls, elected to chew on the medals, which were placed inside their stroller.

Jaden, Teagan and Sienna were pushed in the race by their mom, Brittany Mason. Dad Richard Brown and brother Finlay, 5, also took part in the family outing.