2,600+ Hit Pavement in CDM Scenic 5K

For the past 30 years, runners from all over have come to the village for the annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K. Saturday was no different.

More than 2,600 people took part in the 30th annual race, which was organized by the the city and CDM Chamber of Commerce. The course began at Ocean Boulevard, circled around the Bluffs and ended at Goldenrod Avenue. The categories included a men's 5-kilometer race, women's 5K, fun walk and 1K Dolphin Dash for kids.  

Volunteer Debbie Finster pitched in to help, as usual. She has been working the race since it started in the 1980s and said it's always been a family affair.

"Seeing people come as singles, then get married and then bring their kids, it's such a family-centered community event," Finster said. Her husband also volunteered--passing out 5K T-shirts to runners--and her three grown children ran in honor of their mom's 30th year.   

CDM and Newport Beach restaurants offered free food after the race for registered runners. Avila's El Ranchito served breakfast burritos, Islands dished up tacos and guacamole, Nektar Juice offered drinks and kale snacks, Gina's Pizza had gourmet pizza slices, Five Crowns served creme brulee cups, Summer House CDM had potato leek soup and turkey chili, Albertsons had juices and pretzels, and Trader Joe's offered trail mix and bananas. 

"It shows how the community can get together. Food for 2,000 people is excellent," said Jimmy Degrado, the race's co-chair. "The staff and expertise it took to do it shows the community how they want to give back."

Hoag Hospital was a sponsor of the race. And Charlene Hommerding attended to support a Hoag program called STEP through Newport-Mesa Special Education. Hommerding said this year's race was special because one of her students, Steven Neidus of CDM, who usually watches the event from his window, took part.

Here are the overall top finishers:

Men

1. Danny Reid, 27, of Rancho Cucamonga - 16:21
2. Blake Myers, 17, of Newport Beach - 16:30
3. Derek Satterfield, 18, of Newport Beach - 16:45

Women

1. Kelli Smith, 27, of Costa Mesa - 18:07
2. Melanie Powers, 18, of Newport Beach - 18:18
3. Susan Hopkey, 38, of Laguna Niguel - 18:50

Other notable finishers included 88-year-old Jean Coon of Corona del Mar, who finished third in the 79+ division with a time of 45:40.