Light drizzle didn’t dampen 5K race

Danette Goulet

CORONA DEL MAR -- They huffed and they puffed and they got drizzled on

a bit.

But that didn’t stop thousands from turning out Saturday morning for

the 20th annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K.

“This is a tradition for us,” said Rebecca Gonzalez of Corona del Mar,

who added that she has participated in the run for at least the past six

years.

She also actively recruits friends to join her, with the incentive of

a party at her house afterward complete with mimosas.

With her this year she had two three-year veterans and a first time

runner.

“This is the first time I remember it being such crummy weather,” said

Sarah Pickell, who has run three times now. “It’s fun -- a great run.

Some of the guys play music along the way.”

Weather did little to dampen spirits. Even with the slight drizzle,

residents still sat out to watch the runners and walkers go by.

“It’s still quite scenic. You can see all the boats,” Pickell said.

Even the resident known to runners as “the guy who plays the Olympic

theme when they go by” was out as always.

“We look forward to that every year,” she added.

Runners and walkers come from near and far for the event that benefits

Newport Beach youth programs and the beautification of Corona del Mar.

“This is my first year, although I’ve been a resident for a long

time,” said Karen Tyson of Corona del Mar, who brought her sister from

Aliso Viejo. “Finally I’m rid of the kids who are off doing other things,

so I have time to do something for me.”

Two sisters, Gerri and Courtney Hardcastle, came all the way from Las

Vegas to walk in the 2K.

“It’s beautiful, the whole community gets into it and the breakfast is

great,” Gerri Hardcastle said.

The breakfast is an enormous buffet called “Restaurant Row,”, which

this year boasted specialty items from 19 local restaurants as well as

fruit from Albertson’s.

There were breakfast burritos from Avila’s El Ranchito, gourmet pizzas

from Gina’s Pizza, quiches, cakes, pastas, decadent desserts and

pastries.

And if there wasn’t enough there for the taking -- the line was

several hundred people long -- up at the corner of Goldenrod and Seaview

Avenue, a group of industrious 9-year-old souls set up a lemonade stand.

“Last year we made $60. This year we only made $13,” said Madison

McHam. “We have two kinds of lemonade -- raspberry and regular, cookies,

donuts and caramels.”