Newport Spirit Run
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About the race
Newport Spirit Run is a community running festival on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in Newport Beach, California. The event is organized by Newport Mesa Spirit Run, Inc. and includes a Youth & Fitness Expo located inside the resort by the beach.
The festival features multiple running and walking events for adults, youth, and young children, and introduces eco friendly measures in collaboration with Newport Bay Conservancy. These measures include no plastic bottles on the course or in the expo, cupless water stations where participants carry their own container, and encouragement of reusable fueling options and bulk fueling systems. Special consideration is noted for elite competitors.
Race proceeds support local schools, youth sports programs, and youth causes; Newport Bay Conservancy joins as a beneficiary in 2026. Shirt and entry details are provided for different events: half marathon adults receive a special edition half marathon shirt; adult 5K and mile participants may purchase an event shirt for $10; all youth participants receive a free youth shirt or may select an adult size for $5. The event offers a limited run of official half marathon shirts.
Distances and categories include:
- Half Marathon (adults 18+)
- 5K Race (adult and youth categories)
- 5K Walk (adult and youth categories)
- Mile (time based adult and youth categories)
- Combo 5K Race plus Mile (adult and youth)
- Kids Beach Dash (ages 4-6)
- Toddler Trot (ages 1-3)
The course runs along Upper Newport Bay and passes scenic wetlands, bluffs, restored habitats, Back Bay Science Center, Big Canyon Nature Park, Back Bay Lookout Vista Point, the Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve, and a local trash receptor that captures debris before it enters the bay. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
