Spirits run high at races

For Alex Wilde it was all about competition at the “2006 Spirit Run” in Newport Beach Sunday.

“The race was hard,” the 10-year-old Andersen Elementary School boy said. “Many people were good ? I passed a few of my friends and I felt tired at the end.”

But for McKay Murtaugh, another Andersen Elementary student, Sunday was about having a good time.

“It was really fun ? I just like to run,” the 10-year-old said.

Racers of all ages and in some cases, their dogs, too, came out to support the fundraiser for Newport Beach public education.

Although the “Spirit Run” is the largest kid road race in Orange County, according to Laura Favreau, who chaired the race, the event includes 5K and 10K competitions for adults. The kids race in 1-mile events for ages 7-12 and there is a 25-yard toddler trot for ages 3 and under.

Since the first race 23 years ago, the “Spirit Run” has been broadly supported by the community of Newport Beach as a fundraiser for its five public elementary schools: Andersen, Harbor View, Lincoln, Eastbluff and Newport Coast, Favreau said.

“We raise more than $100,000 each year and we expect to raise that this time ? our registration was up this year,” Favreau said.

In all race categories, 3,251 people entered and finished.

Running is popular in Newport Beach, she said, which partly explains the turnout.

“There is such a thrust for health for families and fitness for children ? running clubs are popping up everywhere,” Favreau said.

Although running was the reason for being there Sunday, there were plenty of distractions on the sidelines. It must have been kid-heaven from the ice cream booth to a kids-only (sixth- and seventh-graders) classic rock band, “The Green Room,” which played such favorites as “Money Can’t Buy Me Love.”

“Running with my Dad was the best part,” said Ryan Friedman, who raced in the 9-10-year-old 1-mile event with his father.

Brandon Clary, 14, of Newport Beach, said he brought his dog to the event, “for the excitement.”

“I come to soak in the community spirit and to watch the families, kids and dogs,” said Heather Davidson, 31, of Corona Del Mar.

Wendy Jawor, 39, of Costa Mesa, raced with her spaniel mix dog, “Chelsea,” whom she rescued six months ago from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Even with four water and one bathroom stops (for Chelsea), we did the 10K in one hour and six minutes,” Jawor said.

“I came to help my wife run ? to pace her,” said Marshall Fisher, 65, of Newport Coast, whose wife Judy, finished fifth in her division.

Winners in the 10K were: Adam Tribble, of Fayetteville, Ark., first place in 31.06 minutes; Rick Herr, of Mission Viejo, second place in 33.04 minutes; and Danny Reed, of Laguna Niguel, third place in 33.24 minutes.

The 5K winners were: Jesse Armijo of Laguna Niguel, first place at 15:16 minutes; Josh Yelsey of Corona Del Mar, second at 15:20; James Sheremeta, third at 15:28.

The 1-mile for 11-12-year-olds winners were: Darren Fahy of Carlsbad, first at 5:08 minutes; N. Cushing-Murray of Santa Ana, second at 5:38; and Jake McCloskey of Huntington, third at 5:42.

The 9-10 year-old 1-mile winners were: Steven Fahy of Carlsbad, first at 5:30 minutes; Anamacio Cardenas of Bloomington, second at 5:34; and Jacquie Adams of North Tustin, third at 5:47.

The 8-year-old 1-mile winners were: Trevor Capestany of Highland, first at 5:57minutes; Justin Hanson of Newport Beach, second at 6:27; and Evan Carter of Newport Beach, third at 6:28.

The 7-year-old 1-mile winners were: Matthew Spiering of Carlsbad, first at 6:36 minutes; Sam Kobrine of Newport Coast, second at 6:52; and Chase Dugan of Newport Beach, third at 6:55.

The 6-year-old half-mile winners were: Grace Jennings of Newport Beach, first at 3:37 minutes; Brennan Greenwald of Newport Beach, first at 3:37; and Charlie Blower of Newport Coast at 3:38.

The 5-year-old half-mile winners were: Christian Polny of Newport Coast, first at 3:55 minutes; Casey Hulme of Tustin, second at 4:03; and Max Caliger of Newport Beach at 4:09.

The 4-year-old quarter-mile winners were: John Humphreys of Newport Beach, first at 2:06 minutes; Brody Beachamp of Newport Beach, second at 2:09; and Cameron Kayl of Newport Beach, third at 2:12.

The race took place outside the Edwards Big Newport 6 Cinemas and the course circled Fashion Island shopping center.dpt.27-spiritrun-3-kt-CPhotoInfoAA1PBEG020060327iwrgpxknKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Chuck Simpson of Capistrano Beach and his English bulldog, Maisey, prepare for the 5K race at the 2006 Spirit Run at Fashion Island on Sunday. dpt.27-spiritrun-2-kt-CPhotoInfoAA1PBEFT20060327iwrgpikn(LA)Patty Humphreys and her children, Sarah, 12, and Sam, 9, all of Corona del Mar, cross the finish line together during the 5K race at the 2006 Spirit Run at Fashion Island on Sunday. dpt.27-spiritrun-1-kt-CPhotoInfoAA1PBEFL20060327iwrgonknPHOTOS BY KENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)From left, Mikey Leong (2919), Jayla Bode, Logan Luke (4594), Marina Barras and Ella Jacobs (727) burst from the starting line during the quarter-mile race for 4-year-olds at the 2006 Spirit Run at Fashion Island on Sunday.