Runners, walkers christen Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach track
By Orange County on September 12, 2021
The track for the upcoming Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been christened — but not by race cars.
But rather, by runners and walkers.
Several hundred people descended on downtown Long Beach Sunday morning, Sept. 12, for the 2021 Long Beach Grand Prix 5K, during which folks run or walk along the nearly 2-mile circuit Indy Series vehicles will travel during the 167-mile race.
Kyle Recker of Garden Grove is first to reach the finish line on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 in the open division at the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Masato Yokoyama of Carson is all smiles on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 after finishing the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People of all ages compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Eric San Vicente of Playa del Rey displays his medal on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 after running in his first Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Women cheer on a friend on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 at the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A woman reaches for her medal on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 after finishing the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants line up on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 for the start of the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People of all ages compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People of all ages compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Jim Michaelian, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and CEO, addresses the crowd following the Grand Prix 5K on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Rosie Linkus, a Pomona College senior, displays her medal after being the first female to cross the finish line in the elite division at the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People compete in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Youngsters line up to compete in the children’s division at the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Youngsters compete in the shortened children’s division at the Grand Prix 5K on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
With his father capturing the moment, a youngster nears the finish line during the children’s race at the Grand Prix 5K on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Nevaeh Smith, 5, displays her medal after running in the children’s division at the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
From left, Caden McWhorter, Reid Cordova, Will Cordova and Mason McWhorter display their medals after running in the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Youngsters take off in the children’s division at the Grand Prix 5K in Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Grand Prix, the biggest annual event in Long Beach, is scheduled for Sept. 24 to 26. Race weekend is normally in April, but the coronavirus pandemic nixed last year’s event and caused organizers to push back the 2021 iteration to September.
And the 5-kilometer walk-or-run event, which typically precedes race weekend, followed suit.
The third ever “Race The Course” 5K is a fundraiser for the Long Beach Grand Prix Foundation, which uses the proceeds to make grants to other Long Beach nonprofits and provide scholarships to local students.
Sunday also saw the premiere of the inaugural Kids Turbo 1K on a section of the track.
“What makes this 5K unique is the chance to be the very first on the newly built track,” Grand Prix Foundation President Rick DuRee said last week. “It’s two laps around the portion of the car track that circle the Convention Center. It offers a perspective few get to experience.”
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