We are fortunate to have several running clubs and the best running store in the South Bay, Village Runner. They are a great way for people to be accountable, help train for races and enjoy overall camaraderie with fellow runners. Read on to find out about ones we recommend.
Meet Our Local Running Clubs
Run Clubs
Here in the South Bay we are fortunate to have several running clubs and local running groups to choose from. They are a great way for people to be accountable, help train for races and enjoy overall camaraderie with fellow runners. Read on to find out about two of our faves!
Club Ed
Club Ed offers experienced coaching and a fun group-training environment for adults throughout the greater South Bay region. We believe that every runner, regardless of age, current conditioning, and previous experience can improve and achieve. We train together several days a week at various locations, focusing on different kinds of training at each workout.
To find out more, come run with us at a Wednesday workout, Mira Costa High School track, from 6pm to 7pm. There, you can find a group of runners that are “your speed” and get going on reaching your next running goal. With over 150 club members (although they never show up all at once!), there’s a good chance you’ll find someone to train with. Our runners cover a wide range (20-80 years old, men and women, social and competitive, 5-minute milers to 20-min/mile walkers, 5K runners to marathoners, …triathletes, too!). Come on out and see for yourself!
Why Does Club Ed Love The MB10k?
The MB10k is THE annual local race for regional residents – a chance to see old friends and neighbors, renew annual racing grudge matches, and celebrate the community in which we live. The iconic course provides a tour of much of the city, and reminds us that MB is hillier than you think (!), and that it’s a long way from El Porto to the Pier! See you at the start line!
South Bay Runners Club
The South Bay Runners Club (SBRC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all-volunteer organization that unites runners and walkers in Southern California. We offer year round training including distance runs, an interval training track workout, recreational and travel activities, and social gatherings. With over 350 members, there are always runners or walkers your speed.
Our Road Runners Clubs of America (RRCA) and USA Track & Field (USATF) Certified Coaches are volunteers who advise on proper training and techniques. Whether you are trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon or simply improve your performance, we have a training plan for you. We also have a Registered Dietitian and Certified Athletic Trainer to answer any nutrition or fitness related questions you might have.
We meet on Sunday mornings at 6:00am and 7:30am in Hermosa Beach at Valley Park (27th/Gould and Valley - Artesia becomes Gould west of PCH).
We meet on Tuesday evenings 7:00pm at the Mira Costa High School Track.
We meet on Thursday evenings 6:30pm at the Skechers store in Manhattan Beach.
For more information on joining SBRC, visit www.southbayrunners.org
Twitter: @southbayrunners
Instagram: @southbayrunnersclub
Facebook: South Bay Runners Club
Why Does The SBRC Love The MB10k?
We love the MB10k because it’s OUR community race. We run on the same streets we train on, with our friends, neighbors, and fellow runners from the South Bay. It’s a wonderfully organized race and just the perfect start to a day capped off by the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair.
We Love A Good Story
Do you have an inspirational story about your MB10k race? Did you receive one of our scholarships? Perhaps an intriguing tale about how you got involved in running? Or even something that would blow people's minds (in a good way, of course!) We want to hear from you! To share, send 1-3 paragraphs along with a high-resolution image of yourself to info@mb10k.com. Your story may be featured in our email newsletter or on our social media platforms!
Don't Miss Out On Our Best Registration Deal
Early Registration is going on now through September 24, 2018. Prices will increase on September 25.
PRICING TODAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24 AT 11:59 P.M.:
$30 Youth (14 & under)
$35 Adults
Register Today
Online registration is available at www.mb10k.com and ends October 1, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.
In-store registration is now open at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach and ends October 5, 2018.
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES AND SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
Come celebrate the 41st running of the MB10k and run or walk - October 6, 2018 at 7:30am!
We'll see you at the starting line!
Twinning!
Our 2017 1st Place Duo
Today we are highlighting our First Place Finishers Kirsty Legg and Stewart Harwell! They are twinning not only because of their wins but also because they share the same birthday. Who knew?!
Our Q & A With Kirsty
You won the Manhattan Beach 10k last year and this summer came in 1st for the Village Runner 4th of July 5k and the Manhattan Mile. What do you attribute your success to?
Being competitive and not overthinking it. In college I used to think about running too much and when things weren’t quite going as I wanted in a race, I would freak out. Now I don’t have time to spend time thinking about races, now I turn up, the gun goes off and whatever happens, happens.
I actually trained for the MB10k - my goal was to get back in shape for this race after giving birth to my son, Oliver in February. But, for the 4th of July 5k and the Manhattan Mile I had done very little training. The Mile is a distance I am very familiar with, that was my event in college and post collegiately, so I knew I’d be able to finish fairly high. But the 4th of July 5k, was a total shock.
How did your first year as Head Coach of the Marymount University Cross Country and Track and Field Teams go?
I endured a steep learning curve and definitely found myself overwhelmed in the beginning, but once I’d been with the team for a couple of months I really found my groove. My Track and Field athletes racked up 60+ PR’s from February - April. Marymount is such a great place to be and a wonderful community to be a part of. My student athletes are amazing and my first season as a Mariner will be a tough one to beat.
Congratulations on getting married this summer! Do you and your husband share coaching strategies? (Husband Brian Shapiro coaches at PV High School)
I’d like to say we don’t talk running at home, but that would be a big fat lie. Running and coaching are such a huge, huge part of our lives that we are constantly talking about it; whether it’s our own personal running goals, discussing what workouts we are going to administer or talking racing strategies. There are times when we don’t agree with one another's workouts / strategies, but that’s why it works. If we constantly agreed with each others coaching that would be no fun!
How did you first get into running?
I didn’t start running until my Sophomore year of High School. I really didn’t enjoy running, but my PE teacher watched me run one day and made me try out for the Cross Country team. I was super competitive and Cross Country was the only thing I was good at. Once I actually started to train and see improvement, I was hooked.
How many MB10ks have you participated in?
Last October was my first MB10k, but I definitely see myself returning every year from now on.
What do you most love about the MB10k?
The amazing sense of community.
Our Q & A With Stewart
You won the MB10k last year and have had a string of strong finishes in many South Bay races. What do you attribute your success to?
Staying healthy is a big part of running well. Healthy, plus running consistently. Last year I was building up for a marathon in December so the MB10k fit perfectly into my training plan.
You are a member of the Club Ed running team. How did you become involved with this group?
I learned about Club Ed when I moved to the South Bay in 2014. I found it online and went out to a practice and met a few of the runners. It was great to find local runners to team up with in long runs or track workouts. Club Ed is open to runners of all ability levels. I’ve met some great people through the club.
How did you first get into running?
I got into running in high school thinking it would be a great way to get in shape for soccer. I had a great coach that was pretty inspiring and motivated me to shift my focus to running. I remember my first “long run” around the neighborhood. My mom drove the route in her car while I was running measuring the distance. When I got home I learned the route was 5.2 miles. That seemed like the longest run ever.
Tell us about your running career at U.C. Santa Barbara.
I ran track and cross country at UCSB from 2002-2007. During cross country the common race distance was 8k, and in track my favorite event was the 1,500 meters. Running in college was a great experience, figuring out how to balance a full time school workload with a competitive intercollegiate season. I was one of the few in my engineering graduate class who also competed in sports too. The highlight of my career would have to be scoring at conference in the 1500 m final.
2017 was your first Mb10k, did it live up to your expectations?
Yeah, this was my first year and I had a great time. I’ve wanted to run it the last few years but the timing never worked out.
We Love A Good Story
Do you have an inspirational story about your MB10k race? Did you receive one of our scholarships? Perhaps an intriguing tale about how you got involved in running? Or even something that would blow people's minds (in a good way, of course!) We want to hear from you! To share, send 1-3 paragraphs along with a high-resolution image of yourself to info@mb10k.com. Your story may be featured in our email newsletter or on our social media platforms!
Don't Miss Out On Our Best Registration Deal
Early Registration is going on now through September 24, 2018. Prices will increase on September 25.
PRICING TODAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24 AT 11:59 P.M.:
- $30 Youth (14 & under)
- $35 Adults
Register Today
Online registration is available at www.mb10k.com and ends October 1, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.
In-store registration is now open at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach and ends October 5, 2018.
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES AND SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
Come celebrate the 41st running of the MB10k and run or walk - October 6, 2018 at 7:30am!
We'll see you at the starting line!
Image Credit: Easy Reader News
Spotlight On Club Ed
One Of Our Faves
The South Bay is fortunate to have many run clubs. One of our personal favorites is Club Ed! This group always has a huge presence at the #mb10k each year and we appreciate their support and participation.
We had the good fortune to interview the head honcho himself, Ed Avol and a prominent member of the club and elite runner in her own right, Nathalie Higley.
About Club Ed
Club Ed is a running club whose goal is to help runners of all ages and fitness enjoy the sport of running at all levels of speed, experience, and talent. It provides organized venues for members to train and experienced guidance to help runners of all levels improve. With a low-key approach to personal improvement fueled by each runner’s individual motivation, the club provides a way for new runners to meet other local runners, discover new places to run, and to learn and practice better ways to train. It also encourages support of the local running community by helping out at local races and encouraging members to challenge themselves through periodic racing.
For more iInformation about Club Ed click here.
Our Q & A With Ed
When and how did you start club Ed?
I previously had coached the Manhattan Beach Track Club (MBTC) in the latter half of the 1980s, then moved away for a job opportunity. When I returned to the area in 1992, several former runners from MBTC approached me and asked if I would coach them again…so I did.
What is your running philosophy?
I approach running as a lifetime activity – at most any age, you can train and run and race, at a level of competition and achievement that you define for yourself. Running is social at times, and hard work at other times. Training–wise, I believe in a strong foundation of distance upon which interval training, recovery days, and a structured plan (instead of random running) combine to lead to personal improvement…but it comes from the individual – I cannot “force” you to run.
What is your favorite #mb10k moment?
Historically, a highlight for me was something we don’t do anymore -- running out and back on the pier (in the old days of the race) in the last rush to the finish. Nowadays, an annual highlight is getting to that seemingly never-ending last mile along the Strand, where the Finish Line doesn’t seem to ever be getting much closer…but you somehow get there!
What are your best tips to train for a 10k?
Give yourself time to build a base – trying to do this in a few weeks is a prescription for injury and frustration. For most any distance and any running, getting a training partner – someone with whom to share the highs and lows, someone to keep you “honest” in your effort and consistency, even someone to “guilt” you into showing up on those days you are dragging and don’t want to run – is the best thing you can do for your training.
What's your best race tip for a first time/novice runner for a 10k?
Have a plan … and work towards it. Preparation, consistency, confidence, and commitment dramatically improve the chances for success.
Our Q & A With Nathalie
Why do you run with Club Ed?
I always feel it is better to run with a group. The club is an opportunity to get together and train with people who are very friendly and have access to a very knowledgeable coach. There’s a need to be social, to be challenged and to be better and the club meet those needs. It also feels like a family and a social gathering, you see these people on a regular basis and you share a passion for running with them.
How many #mb10k races have you run?
I think about 17 or 18.
How many of these have you won?
12! (Way to go, Nathalie!)
What do you love about the #mb10k?
It is always nice to get to the finish and see the beautiful pier. It is a great course and a challenging course. I enjoy seeing all the people cheering you on and listening to the music and all the support along the way. It is fun and entertaining and always fun to head off to the Hometown Fair Beer Garden afterwards!
Save money & register before midnight tonight! (we’re talking 11:59 p.m. people) Fees increase September 20th!
2 ways to register:
- Online at www.mb10k.com until 9.26
- In-store at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach until 9.30
- 1840 N Sepulveda Blvd.
- Hours: 10-7 Monday through Saturday, 11-6 Sunday
Please Note!
No race day registration!
- Walkers welcome
- Please no strollers or dogs
- Bib number pick-up at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach on:
Wednesday, September 28
Thursday, September 29
Friday, September 30
Image Credit: MB10K
WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE STARTING LINE ON OCTOBER 1, 2016!
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