Council approves Nike event in concept, continues hearing pending negotiated conditions

The Hermosa Beach City Council on March 10 approved in concept the Nike After Dark Tour LA 2026 and directed staff to negotiate event conditions with Nike, including stronger resident outreach, traffic mitigation, business activation and community benefits. Council identified Oct. 24 as the preferred date and continued the public hearing to April 14 so staff and the event producer can return with negotiated terms.

Nike described the After Dark Tour as a 13.1‑mile, women‑focused nighttime half‑marathon that would begin and end in neighboring Redondo Beach and pass through Hermosa Beach. Nike representatives said they would limit closures on Hermosa Avenue to the southbound lane, deploy rolling closures and staged vehicle access windows for residents, provide shuttle options for participants and affected residents, comp 100 local bibs, and work with local businesses and high schools on activations. Nike projected an approximate city revenue contribution of $30,000 from standard event fees and estimated broader weekend visitor spending of $1.2M–$1.68M under certain assumptions.

Residents and business owners filled the public‑comment period with mixed reactions. Supporters said the event would draw visitors, spotlight women’s running and benefit local restaurants and hotels. Opponents stressed potential harms: extended lane and parking closures on Hermosa Avenue, lost customer access for businesses, conflicts with existing community events (notably the Sketchers Friendship Walk), amplified sound and cleanup impacts, and uncertainty about what the city would receive in return.

Council members pressed Nike on logistics: wave timing, the feasibility of strand‑only routing, intersection bypass and trench‑plated traffic treatments, pedestrian bridge plans at Pier Plaza, tear‑down and clean‑up by 7 a.m., emergency vehicle access, and whether neighboring cities had negotiated compensation. The city attorney advised council members on recusal risks where applicable.

A substitute motion directing staff to negotiate event elements and community benefits, seeking stronger Chamber engagement, resident access windows, and a return with a full staff report on April 14 passed unanimously. The council did not adopt final permit or financial terms at the meeting.

Outcome and next steps: the council approved the event in concept, asked staff to negotiate specific mitigation and community‑benefit commitments with Nike, and continued the public hearing to the Apr. 14 meeting for final action.