Fewer than 100 spaces remain for this weekend’s Long Beach Grand Prix Foundation 5K, which gives runners and walkers a chance to take to the course of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The foundation organizes the event, set for Sunday, April 3, to raise money for area charities. It is the only time people can “Race The Course” where the IndyCars will top 200 miles an hour the following Sunday.
“We’ve been very gratified to see the response to this spring’s event,” said Foundation President Rick DuRee. “Clearly people are ready to get out and participate. It’s great to see we’re attracting a full field.”
Not only does the 5K have a full field of participants, but it also has a title sponsor for the first time — G&M Gas. The company owns and operates convenience stores — Extra Mile — fuel stations and more.
Related Articles
Want free tickets to Day 1 of Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach? This is how you get them
There still are a few spaces available for the event. Every participant will receive a T-shirt, a finisher medal, two free Friday tickets to the Grand Prix, a free 30-minute boxing session with 9Round of Long Beach and a chance to win a free pace car ride during the Grand Prix.
The walk-run event is Sunday, April 3. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach takes place from April 8 to 10. There will be an Elite/Pro 5K division for those who can finish the race in under 25 minutes and an Open 5K for the general public. A Kids Turbo 1K is for children 12 and younger. The Elite/Pro runners start at 7:30 a.m., with the Open 5K beginning at 8 a.m. The 1K takes place at 9:15 a.m.
Signups are available online at bit.ly/3vJSqQy, though there’s a chance you can sign up the morning of the event if there’s still room. The cost is $40.
Race packets can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Legends Restaurant & Sports Bar, in Belmont Shore. Otherwise, packets are available starting at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at the course.
The race paddock is in Lagoon Park, on the Shoreline Drive side of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Parking will be available in garages around the center.