MB10k Spotlight | Coach Renee

To Know Her Is To Love Her

Meet Coach Renee Williams-Smith who heads up the Girls Mira Costa Cross Country team. Read on about this inspiring woman who is an exemplary role model for those who run like a girl!

Our Q & A With Mama Reniz

How long have you been the Girls Distance Running Coach at Mira Costa?

I was an assistant coach for 2 years and have been the head coach for about 15 years.

In 2014 you were chosen as the Inspiring Coach of the Year by the Brooks Running Company. What did that award mean to you?

It was really special because girls from my team nominated me and sent 3 videos to Brooks all without my knowledge.  It was very thoughtful and heartfelt and the fact that they understood my commitment to their growth meant the world to me.

You are an amazing leader for girls and make quite an impression on your athletes, how do you go about choosing your team captains?

It’s an evolving process.  Some girls are natural leaders who are inclusive by nature and comfortably assume the role.  Sometimes it’s girls that I believe in that haven’t quite seen it themselves yet. In both cases it is very rewarding to watch them learn and grow as people, runners, and leaders. 

When you attended Mira Costa there was not a girls distance running team. How did you persevere in the face of adversity?

I didn’t really see it as adversity, I was not going to get a lot of playing time as a soccer player and I wanted to do something so I started running and brought my friends out to run too since it was only boys at the time.

You are the Race Director for the upcoming Dick Fitzgerald 2 Mile Beach Run. Tell us about this race and how it benefits Mira Costa’s cross country program.

It’s a fun 2- mile sand run starting at Hermosa beach Pier. It’s a mile out on the soft sand and a mile back on the hard sand. It’s a real community event with families with kids, parents, even some grandparents. We’ve had quite a few of the same people run it for the past 20 years. It’ a short fun family and community event that is part of the International surf festival. It is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and is a great chance for us to actively engage the community.

What do you look forward to when you take your team to Mammoth for training?

Great team bonding and great training.  It’s an excellent opportunity to get all the kids together to train and start forming their team.  I’t an opportunity for the athletes to challenge themselves and get to know each other by sharing this experience.

What do you love most about the Manhattan Beach 10k?

That it is a huge community event.  I am in my happy place while running and I get to do it with so many friends and kids that I have coached over the years. Plus, it is so well organized.

When you aren’t running, how do you like to spend your time?

Talking about running 😊

I love to spend time with my family mostly laughing and watching my son play water polo and my husband ocean prone paddling.

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Support Mira Costa Cross Country

The Dick Fitzgerald 2-Mile Beach Run will be held on Saturday August 3rd, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. This fun race is very challenging because of the soft sand on the first half of the race and the hard pack run on the return trip. The gentle sea breeze is a welcome relief to the runners . This is a great way to get some exercise and participate in one of the first events of the Surf Festival. 100% of proceeds benefit the Mira Costa Cross Country teams.

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MB10k Early Registration

If you missed our Extra Savings window for the 42nd Annual Race on October 5, we’ve got you covered! Right now we have Early Registration going on until September 23, 2019.

PRICING

• $35/ages 15+

• $30/ages 0-14

At this time we have online registration open. Visa/Mastercard payments only, processing fee applies. In-store registration opens September 1st at Village Runner, 1840 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Cash, check, Visa/Mastercard accepted, processing fee applies to credit card purchases. If you have any questions about the race please visit our Event Details and FAQs pages.

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THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES & SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.  

WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE STARTING LINE ON OCTOBER 5, 2019!

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Image Credit: Endurance Sports Photo & Renee Williams-Smith

School Is Cool

Your Dollars Count

The proceeds for the last 40 years of the Manhattan Beach 10k, which total more than $560,000, have been directly donated back to the Manhattan Beach community! We are so very grateful to all of you who have run or walked the race and helped make this a reality.

In June of this year, we were pleased to award five, $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Mira Costa High School during their Senior Recognition Night!

Some past projects the race has also contributed to:

• Various health & fitness enhancements to the recreation facilities of local schools & parks
• Scholarships to Manhattan Beach high school seniors
• Mira Costa Track refurbishing
• Yearly donations (in the thousands of dollars) to the Mira Costa High School Choir Boosters who provide us with traffic control & water station volunteers
• $11,000 exercise facility at the Manhattan Beach Middle School
• The climbing wall at Manhattan Heights Park
• The par course at the Strand and 26th. Greenbelt near Manhattan Beach Blvd. & at Polliwog Park
• Strand mile markers
• Play structure at Polliwog Park
• Artificial turf at AYSO field on Marine

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.

*PLEASE NOTE! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN AT VILLAGE RUNNER, MANHATTAN BEACH AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 5, 2018, BEFORE 7 P.M. ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 1, 2018 AT 11:59 P.M.

Village Runner
1840 Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

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: Dig MB

MB10K Spotlight: Mike Ward

Meet Mike Ward

Mike Ward is a South Bay local and owns the Village Runner stores in Manhattan and Redondo Beach. We are privileged to have Village Runner as one of our race sponsors. The Village Runner, Manhattan Beach provides sponsorship by distributing bib numbers, graciously providing us a place for in-store registration, and providing food at the Expo.  It would be difficult to put on this event without them.

Our Q & A With Mike

You were a star track and cross country runner in high school and college. Give us a little background about your personal running career.

I ran cross country and track at West Torrance High school.  I also played soccer for West.  I always felt that the cross country, soccer and track combination always worked out very well for me.  In other words, “Cross country got me in great shape for soccer and soccer kept me in good shape for track.”  I was an 800 meter runner in track which I feel is a great event for soccer players (and basketball players).

After West High, I attended El Camino.  I also ran cross country and track there.  Our cross country team was very good my freshman year and I had a great time, but I must admit that my true passion was running the 1,500 meters on the track.  I really looked forward to track workouts (the more challenging the better).  I ran a 3:52 and came in 5th in the State. I got injured in the summer of 1989, so I took a break during the 1989-1990 season.  I came back to run in 1990 and 1991 but never got close to the times that I ran my freshman year.  In hindsight, it probably wasn’t wise to gain 30 lbs.!!  

You have 2 Village Runner locations, tell us how you got your start in the running business.  

I started working at the Village Runner in 1989.  By 1992, the owner decided that she was ready to sell the store.  Although, I was only 23 at the time, I expressed interest in buying the store and we began to have a conversation.  By August of 1992, I was able to borrow enough cash from family and friends to purchase the store.  I often tell people that I went from working at the Village Runner for $8 an hour as an employee on July 31st, 1992 to owning the Village Runner and paying myself about $3 an hour on August 1st, 1992.

Over the years you have donated over $200,000 to various South Bay causes through proceeds from your races. Why is it so important for you to give back to the community in this way?

I think that part of the reason the South Bay is such a great place to live is because of the great support that all of the local businesses do to enhance the local schools and other local non-profits in the area.  I’m grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.    

This year you are generously giving money towards Mira Costa High School’s running programs with our upcoming Bib Promotion - when people purchase a $140 Village Runner gift certificate, $40 will go to Mira Costa. How do you hope that money will benefit their programs?  

I think that running is a great sport/activity.  I’ve seen people throughout the years that have had life altering experiences because of running.  I think that supporting local running programs such as Mira Costa gives them a better opportunity to touch the lives of more students in a positive way.

How did you first get involved with the Manhattan Beach 10K?  

I opened up my current location in Manhattan Beach in 2004.  With some help from Scott Guerrero, we started hosting the packet pick-up for the race in 2005 or 2006.  Since that time, we’ve had a great relationship with the MB10K.  I am proud to be associated with such a great community event that is enjoyed by thousands of Manhattan Beach residents every year.

Have you ever run the MB10K yourself?  

I have run the MB10K a few times.

If so, what do you love most about the race?  

I love the great sense of community and the positive energy that surrounds you as you run in the MB10K.  Also, although the course is somewhat of a challenge, it’s always fun to run through downtown MB and I love the last mile of running with a beautiful ocean view.

The running industry has seen it’s ups and downs over the past few years, what is your secret to success with your popular stores and races?  

Support from the local community is the reason that the Village Runner stores and events have succeeded and it is greatly appreciated.  I also give a ton of credit to my staff for offering knowledgeable, friendly service throughout the years.

Please Note!

Online Registration for the MB10K is going on NOW at www.mb10k.com and ends October 2, 2017.

In-store Registration is now open at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach and ends October 6th at 7 pm.

EARLY REGISTRATION PRICING NOW - SEPTEMBER 25TH:

• $30 Youth (14 & under)

• $35 Adults

VILLAGE RUNNER, MANHATTAN BEACH

• 1840 N. Sepulveda Blvd

• Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

STORE HOURS:

• Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Join Us Tomorrow!

We will have a booth at the Manhattan Beach Farmer’s Market tomorrow, September 12, 2017! Stop by and say hello and check out what we have going on:

• Race poster with the history of our 10K t-shirt artwork
• Buttons and pins with our 1978 retro running man*
• Stickers*
• $3 online registration discount coupons*
• Show up in an MB10K race finisher tee from the past & let us post a photo on social media to earn goodies*!

*Limited quantities, while supplies last.  

Let’s get social!

Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news, updates, training tips, sponsors, volunteer opportunities & information about our awesome race and our beautiful hometown.

Share with your friends on social media that you have registered for the race and invite them to run or walk with you.

Anytime you post about the race, use our hashtags:

• #mb10k
• #thisis40

Image Credit:  Mike Ward & Manhattan Beach Farmer’s Market

THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES & SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.

COME CELEBRATE OUR 40TH BIRTHDAY WITH US AND RUN OR WALK - OCTOBER 7, 2017 AT 7:30 AM!

We'll see you at the starting line!

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Could You Use $1,000.00?!

Did You Know?

Did you know that the proceeds from the Manhattan Beach 10K Run go right into the community? Did you know that we award scholarships to Mira Costa High School Seniors? Thousands of dollars have been given to these deserving kids to help defray the ever-rising cost of college. Thank you for your participation in this run and assisting the students!

Meet Nick

Nick Zobel captained the Mira Costa Cross Country team his junior and senior year. He has run the race several times, quickly taking off for the starting line after belting out the National Anthem with the Mira Costa Choir.  He used the scholarship money that he received in 2011 to buy textbooks for his freshman year at U.S.C.

Why He Runs The #MB10K

Even though Nick now lives in Sacramento, working as an analytics specialist for the Sacramento Kings, he makes time to come back for the 10K. He says it’s a fun run that gets you out of bed early and has a beautiful course. It’s the perfect excuse for him to come home, get some exercise and reunite with friends at the Hometown Fair afterwards.

How To Apply For The MB10K Scholarship

The College and Career Center (CCC) at Mira Costa offers a Scholarship Notebook Program where they help seniors build submissions for scholarships based on their achievements and efforts over the course of their high school career.  The school posts all available scholarships and provides seniors with assistance in applying for them. A representative from the MB10K presents the scholarships at Senior Recognition Night in June.

Criteria For The MB10K Scholarship

• Minimum GPA 3.5
• Minimum 3 Years of running in the 10K or volunteering to help with the event.

Submission Requirements

• Application completed and submitted to the CCC by the stated deadline.
• Along with this application please include a copy of your transcripts, and letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, community members or employers.
• All applicants must include at least 1 letter of recommendation from a teacher/coach/community member or employer.
• All applicants must meet requirements of CCC including completing scholarship notebook
• Applications must be turned in by applicant by deadline to the CCC. No exceptions. Do not pass through directly to MB10K, coach or other. Any applicant who does so will be disqualified from consideration.

Early Registration For The MB10K

Pricing now - September 19th:

• Register online at mb10k.com

• $30 Youth (under 15 years old)

• $35 Adults

Please Note!

Registration in-store at Village Runner, Manhattan Beach opens September 1st and closes September 30th . Online registration at mb10k.com will close on September 26th.

We'll see you at the starting line on October 1, 2016!

Image Credit: Nick Zobel

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