Spirit Run: much more than a fundraiser

Generations of Newport Beach residents have grown up with Spirit Run, most remembering it as a school fundraiser. But for many, from near and far, it’s much more.

Spirit Run began in 1983 with the 5k for adults and mile for children. Over the years, it has expanded to offer running and walking events for every age and fitness level. Today’s adult distances include the 10k, 5k, Juan Ramirez 15k (10k + 5k), and mile (Elite or Open). Rather than a single race, children are grouped by age into six separate 1/4 - 1 mile races. Other youth choices include the Youth 5k for high school ages and younger, and the Toddler Trot for the littlest ones. Families run or walk together in the Family Mile or 5k Family Walk. Even your BFF canine is included in the Dog Mile.

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Photos courtesy of Spirit Run

Elite Mile top two females at the finish tape

Since introducing adult mile races in 2016, Spirit Run has attracted elite and highly competitive runners from Southern California and beyond. The Elite Mile is for men who can finish a mile faster than 4 minutes, 15 seconds, and women, faster than 4 minutes, 50 seconds. The Open Mile is for competitive runners who don’t qualify for the Elite Mile. Both races take place on a fast, point-to-point course that travels on a slight decline.

Many elite athletes have competed at Spirit Run for several years and can’t wait to return. The word is spreading and the field is growing. Most will race the Elite Mile followed by the 5k. Some will race the Juan Ramirez 15k (10k followed by the 5k), with a few adding the Open Mile. All are attracted by the fast courses, great competition and abundance of prizes, including a $5,000 prize purse in the Elite Mile. This combination of factors is expected to result in fast finishing times, possibly course records. This makes Spirit Run great for spectators as well.

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Thomas Dialynas

Spirit Run is excited to welcome Thomas Dialynas, a Newport Beach native. Dialynas, the 2020 Surf City Marathon Champion, is registered for Spirit Run’s Elite Mile and 5k. Dialynas was Captain of Corona del Mar High’s Cross Country and Track Team and twice voted Most Valuable Player. He ran for Princeton where he was 2012 Academic All American. After college, he qualified for the 2016 USA Olympic Half Marathon Trials.

Dialynas attended Harbor Day School, although at that time, private schools did not participate in Spirit Run. “I have never actually run the Spirit Run,” he said. “I am glad to finally partake in this annual Newport tradition. The Mile is a great distance in a great place against great competition for a great cause.”

While Dialynas resides close enough to run to the Elite Mile start line, Matthew Winkler is traveling more than 1,000 miles. Winkler is a schoolteacher from Victoria, Canada who placed 5th at the 2019 Canadian Track and Field Championships. “I’m a competitor at heart,” Winker explained. “Three years ago, my students encouraged me to enter this sport again and I discovered I had a little bit of energy left in these legs.”

Winkler is the favorite for the Elite Mile. When asked whether he can win he replied, “My body is going through a bit of a renaissance, where I’m faster than I was in my 20s. That has brought me to the Spirit Run for an opportunity to race some fast people on a fast course with a chance to break 4 in the mile for the first time.”

Winkler will have several other competitors on his heels including Bryce Richards from Phoenix, Ariz. “I’m really excited about competing in the Spirit Mile/5k,” Richards said. “This will be a great test of my fitness...I hope to mix it up with the other athletes and hopefully come out on top!”

There is also an impressive field on the women’s side. Tori Tsolis, Spirit Run’s 2017 Elite Mile Woman’s Champion, is a California native. “I’m excited to return to the Spirit Run Mile! I had a few injuries that sidelined me from competing in this event the past two years. It’s a great atmosphere and a fun, local opportunity to run a quick road mile in March.”

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Tori Tsolis, first at the finish line

Tsolis has significant challengers, including one who competed on the world stage. Hanna Hermansson competed for Sweden in the 2017 World Championships and recently ran a 4:37 mile in New York. The women’s favorite, however, is Therese Haiss from Ohio who finished the State Street Mile last June in 4:20.

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Therese Haiss may be the won to beat in this year’s Woman’s Mile

No doubt, Spirit Run’s $5,000 cash prize purse in the Elite Mile and almost 300 non-cash prizes motivate the elite runners. The first five men and first five women to break 4 minutes and 4 minutes, 35 seconds, respectively in the Elite Mile win $500. Also, the top six women and men in the Elite Mile win ice cream at Fashion Island’s Atomic Creamery. Indeed, winners of all ages will win Atomic Creamery gift cards. Other tasty prizes include pizza every month for a year at Blaze Pizza Fashion Island for ages 9 & older in the Adult 5k, 10k, Youth 5k and Youth Mile races, and Balboa Candy for ages 8 & younger in the 1/4, 1/2 and 1 mile and Youth 5k. Open Mile and 15k runners battle for $50 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift certificates. Dog Milers compete for free lunch or dinner at Lazy Dog Café. Finally, elite athletes in the 10k, 5k and Dog Mile also compete for $100 gift cards from Asics and A Snail’s Pace.

To register and for event details, visit www.nmspiritrun.org. To learn more about elite athletes at Spirit Run, visit www.nmspiritrun.org/elites.