Beach Cities Sports: Running, surfing, volleyball and more
Running: GI Joe presents the annual Spring Pier 2 Pier Run/Walk on Saturday, Mar. 8. The run/walk begins and finishes at the Hermosa Beach Pier and includes a t-shirts, goodie bags and raffle prizes. First and second place finishers receive Village Runner gift certificates. A 5K Kid’s Run/Walk will also be held. Cost is $35 per person for each race. Team discounts are available. Beat the male/female record holder’s time and win $100. Proceeds benefit Grandparents as Parents. For more information and to register, visit mbbootcamp.com.
Online registration is available for the Village Runner St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run and Little Leprechaun Dash for the Gold to be held Sunday, Mar. 16 in Redondo Beach. The run begins and finishes at Village Runner, 1811-A Catalina Ave. The 5K run starts at 8 a.m. followed by the Kids Dash at 9:30 a.m. Entry fees are $30 for the 5K, $25 for the Kids Dash (add $5 after Mar. 8) and includes t-shirt, computer timing, water stations and sponsor refreshments. For more information or to register, visit villagerunner.com.
Paddleboarding: Registration is open for the Cold Hands Paddle, the first in series of Ocean of Hope races considered the start of the paddling season that will take place one Sunday, March 2. The race is held on a 4-mile course off Cabrillo Beach and is open to paddleboards and SUPs; dory boats, surf skis, kayaks, and OC1s. Awards given to winners in Men’s, Women’s and Juniors, Stock and Unlimited in Prone and SUP divisions. Registration is free and available at paddleguru.com. Pre-order t-shirts ($20, $25 on race day) and raffle tickets ($5 or 5 tickets for $20) online. All proceeds of the raffle benefit the Sarcoma Alliance and the fight against cancer.
Surfing: The South Bay Boardriders is holding its South Bay Surf Series on one Saturday each month. The series features all age groups, including the Micro Grom Division for under-9 year-olds. Participants receive t-shirts and other goodies and finalists from each division win prize packages. Surf Series ratings winner receive prizes such as free trips, surfboards, wetsuits and more. Scheduled contest dates are: Mar. 8 – Surf Concepts at El Porto; April 5 – Spyder at Manhattan Beach Pier. The championships will be held in May. For more information, visit southbayboardriders.com.
Volleyball: The Co-ed Volleyball on the Beach Leagues kicks off its season on Tuesday nights in Hermosa Beach starting March 11. Games will be north of the Hermosa Beach pier and played from 6-8 p.m. Registration must be made at the Community Center at 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach prior to league start date. Early registration is recommended with a cap of 44 teams. Six weeks of regular season is followed by two weeks of playoffs. Cost is $240 per team plus $5 per non-Hermosa Beach resident. For more information or individuals wishing to be placed on a team, call 310-318-0280. For questions, contact Bill Sigler, bill@smacksportswear.com or Chris, cyj@prankmonkey.org.