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Corona’s inaugural 5K circles Grand Boulevard, draws about 3,000 runners; Emily Corona among first finishers
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Summary
The City of Corona and OC Marathon staged the inaugural Corona 5K on Grand Boulevard, citing the city’s historic 1913–1916 road races; roughly 3,000 people registered, about 1,500 were local residents, and the broadcast identified Emily Corona as the first female finisher.
About 3,000 people signed up for the inaugural Corona 5K on Grand Boulevard, city hosts said during the event broadcast, with roughly half the field coming from Corona.
The race, presented in partnership with OC Marathon, began at the historic Corona Civic Center and completed the city’s circular Grand Boulevard course that once hosted auto races from 1913 to 1916. Mansi, a City of Corona representative, framed the run as an effort to reconnect the community with that heritage while promoting health and fitness.
“From 1913 to 1916, Grand Boulevard was home to the iconic Corona road races,” Mansi said onstage, noting the city pursued the event under a strategic-plan goal to highlight local heritage and engage residents on large-scale community events.
City staff described months of logistical work. An event coordinator said the city worked with OC Marathon on planning road closures and coordinated with Caltrans on Freeway 91 ramp closures, local law enforcement and Corona Regional Hospital to plan for traffic control and medical coverage. Officials told businesses and residents about the closures starting in November 2025 through in-person outreach by Corona Police and community services staff and via Every Door Direct Mail.
The broadcast highlighted several community contributors: a vintage pace car that organizers said represents Corona’s racing history; Gary, who described designing a medal with a period postcard background and checkered-flag motif to evoke the early-20th-century races; and local businesses and vendors who joined the event, including Tom of Woody Shaved Eyes, John Fuentes of Raising Cane’s and Gayla Jimenez of Fit Fam Corona.
“Most exciting thing for me as an event coordinator is . . . seeing it on race day,” the event coordinator said, summarizing the city’s planning focus on safety and turnout.
Race commentary carried live updates from the course. Announcers monitored mile markers and called the first finishers; the broadcast identified the first female finisher as Emily Corona. Organizers encouraged spectators and participants to enjoy the course’s landmarks, from tree-lined residential streets to downtown businesses near the final stretch.
The event concluded with onstage thanks from the hosts and a signoff from the city representative. Organizers said they hope the Corona 5K becomes an annual celebration of the city’s history and a recurring community fitness event.
