Parks commission recommends MOU with OC Marathon to return historic Corona 5000 road race

The Corona Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve a memorandum of understanding with OC Marathon LLC to stage a new 5K event branded the “Corona 5000.” The commission’s recommendation follows presentations from city staff, OC Marathon race director Gary Kutcher and a traffic plan from Lieutenant Gary Griffiths of the Corona Police Department.

Organizers said the run would start and finish in front of the historic city hall on Sixth Street, run east and then loop around Grand Boulevard, and include a post-race celebration near the civic center. OC Marathon’s Gary Kutcher said the event aims to highlight Corona history and said, “We expect 2,000 to 2,500 people,” including runners and spectators.

The race director described an outreach and timeline that calls for an event website launch in October, sponsorship outreach and registration opening in November, and a possible race date in March. He told commissioners the OC Marathon will handle permits, promotion, an expo and race-day logistics, and described a charity model in which local nonprofit groups can register and fundraise through the race registration process.

Corona Police Lieutenant Gary Griffiths outlined a traffic and public-safety plan that would close portions of Grand Boulevard for roughly two hours on race morning. “Our plan is to try to minimize the amount of traffic delays or issues we have in the city while also maximizing the safety for the runners around the course,” he said. Griffiths said officers and fire personnel would stage inside the circle and that Caltrans permits would be sought to close the Main Street off-ramps during the event; on-ramps would remain open so residents can leave via the 91 freeway.

Commissioners and staff discussed parking, impacts on businesses inside the Grand Boulevard circle and emergency access. Organizers said most parking could be accommodated at City Hall and nearby lots, that they will provide wayfinding and digital routing notices, and that they are exploring shuttle and transit options. Kutcher described registration pricing structures as planned—reduced rates for children and an initial $30 adult price that rises closer to the event—and said merchandise and medals would be ordered by late fall.

Commissioners praised the event’s potential economic and community benefits but pressed organizers on resident notification, business outreach and emergency access. Commissioners asked about a registration cap; organizers said they would set registration and supply levels (medals, shirts) based on early registration but have discussed an initial target of roughly 2,000 registrants to meet budget and logistical goals.

Action: The commission moved and seconded a recommendation that the City Council approve the MOU with OC Marathon; the motion passed 5-0. The commission’s recommendation moves the MOU to the City Council for final approval.

Next steps: Staff and OC Marathon said they expect to launch the event website in October, begin sponsorship outreach and open registration in November, continue traffic coordination with Corona PD and Caltrans, and bring the signed MOU to the City Council for consideration.