The Hometown 10k

The four-mile mark of the Hometown 10k race is on Blanche Road just after the right turn off Valley Drive heading towards Sand Dune Park. The marker is painted on the curb just before a red garage door with a reminder painted on it that the beach is this way =>; and work is that way; <=. Some years ago, I was approaching this point in the race and feeling pretty good with my effort, when I heard the unmistakable quick tempo, heavy-footed gait of my friend Mark Silva coming up behind me. As anyone who competes in road races knows; someone coming up on you four miles into a six mile race is having a better run. As Mark came up beside me and I increased my pace to see if I could hang with him over Rosecrans and down onto the Strand to the finish at the Pier.

The Manhattan Beach Hometown 10k road race and fair stands as the highlight weekend of the year for many of us in the South Bay. More than just a race, this event brings together the entire community, fostering a spirit of togetherness and camaraderie. It unites people not only through the shared pursuit of fitness but also by supporting community fitness related causes and scholarships.

Each year, at the start of the race the collective energy that fills Valley and Ardmore Drives as we warm up, stretch and stride create a true hometown atmosphere. The familiar and encouraging voice of race announcer, Susie Weems welcoming everyone to another year fills the air. The streets come alive with neighbors, bands, friends and families cheering on participants and celebrating the unique character of the South Bay. The name “Hometown 10k” could not be more fitting, as this event perfectly captures the essence of community spirit.

Over the past few days, I’ve been asking friends and patients to share their favorite personal stories of competing in the race: Rick wore bib #1 on his birthday and won the race with a time of 32:12, finishing almost two minutes ahead of second place and with the lead motorcycle inexplicably far ahead. He basically ran the entire race alone, although I’m sure he had more friends at the beer garden later that morning.

Alison, an amazing runner herself, tells of the year she was so proud to watch her 11-year-old daughter Lucy run the entire race by herself. Alison, an accomplished racer herself,  exemplified motherhood at its best and ran to the finish line to make sure the finish line announcer called out Lucy as she crossed the line.

Lionel, racing his first 10K ever, yet fit enough to be quite fast, tells of the experience of running amongst the swarm of pink shorted, shirtless Mira Costa cross-country runners and all the energy and banter these kids bring to the race. Crossing the finish with the kids, Lionel exclaimed “man that was hard, but I felt so good! “

Linda is a member of the “Pier group”, a circle of participants who have taken part in every Hometown 10k since the race began in 1978. She has participated for 48 consecutive years, maintaining consistency throughout. One year, when her due date coincided with the race, she joined the organizers’ race held a week earlier to continue her participation without interruption.

MIke is reminded every year that he is in the same age group as Ed Avol. MIke has finished second in that age group a lot. Ironic as it is, the only time a runner appreciates getting older is to enter the next age group. Alas, MIke already knows that next year Ed will age into the next group as well.

Jeff, driving down from NorCal the night before and unable to register for the race but enthusiastic to participate while wearing baggy board shorts , ended up coming down the strand first. Honoring etiquette ,he peeled off to the pier to allow the official race winner finish first. Jeff then stood at the finish cheering everyone else in . 

Diane tells of, just two years ago and finally after so many years, passing on the strand none other than running legend and super coach Renee Smith and, and why not, also passing running legend and super coach Ed Avol.

I honestly don’t remember who finished ahead between Mark and me. I am sure, however, that we were both gassed coming down the strand to the finish, and that Mark will for sure remember.

This is the beauty of the Hometown 10k. We can show up every year, we can walk it , we can jog it, we can cheer on our friends and neighbors, we can win it officially or unofficially or we can win it 12 times like Natalie, we can mix in with the high school kids or we can race our buddies in whatever age group we might be, all out for pride at the beer garden, we can participate with our kids or our parents, or we can participate every year for 48 years. In the end, whether we win or not, whether we beat our friends this year or not, we show up to celebrate community, fitness and support for the next generations of runners, walkers and fans. Let’s do it for another 48 years!

In health,
Dr. Steve