Spirit Run nets more than $50K for Newport-Mesa Unified schools

More than $50,000 was raised for local public schools at the 29th annual Newport-Mesa Spirit Run.

Spirit Run President and Race Director Diane Daruty presented the Newport-Mesa Unified School District with a check during its March 8 meeting for $50,593 for the 16 schools in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa that participated in the event.

The race, which has nonprofit status, also donated $2,520 for lock boxes, which brought the total donation to $53,113.

“We’re very committed and proud that the Newport-Mesa Spirit Run gives every student in the community the chance to participate,” Daruty said at the meeting.

The Spirit Run raises money for the schools while also promoting fitness by helping students train for the race year round.

Since Daruty saved the Spirit Run from extinction, she has reached out to the Costa Mesa community and involved the entire district, said school board Trustee Karen Yelsey. The event was traditionally run in, and supported by, the Corona del Mar zone schools.

About 100 students were given scholarships to cover the entry fee, and families from five Costa Mesa schools were provided with transportation to the event.

— Britney Barnes

Twitter: @britneyjbarnes