Thousands prepare for 35th Annual Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K

This group, depicting Super Bowl party necessities, has delighted crowds for many years with their elaborate costumes. Photo

This group, depicting Super Bowl party necessities, has delighted crowds for many years with their elaborate costumes. Photo

Menus are being planned, office pools are underway and drinking establishments chosen as one of America’s biggest party days draws near.

Hours before New Orleans hosts Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, thousands of participants and spectators from across Southern California will begin the day’s celebration near Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach when the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau hosts the 35th Annual Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K presented by Kaiser Permanente.

The event officially kicks off Saturday with the two-day Health & Fitness Expo presented by Michelob Ultra. The free Expo runs Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. and includes a variety of sports and lifestyle exhibits along with running and fitness accessories.

Sunday’s festivities begin at 7 a.m. with the ever-popular Costume Contest presented by King Harbor Association. Runners don elaborate costumes that range from super heroes to animals to the latest celebrities in the news.

After the singing of the National Anthem, the 5K Run/Walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. Last year Joe Nitti, of Calabasas, was the first among 3,151 finishers with a time of 16 minutes, 12 seconds. Rocio Pelayo, of Anaheim, was the female winner at 18:13.

The Baby Buggy 10K follows at 8:15 a.m. Alan Grant, of Long Beach, is defending champion posting a time of 37:47 last year.

The 10K, which featured 3,467 finishers in 2012, begins approximately at 8:30 a.m. Redondo Beach triathlete Chris Foster took top honors last year with a time of 30:34. In the women’s division, Mary Akor of Hawthorne finished first with a 34:16 mark.

All runners receive a custom race tech shirt and custom awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each category.

A post-race hospitality area hosted by Michelob Ultra is a popular gathering place where race participants and spectators meet to listen to live music, quench their thirst and get a second wind before heading off to after parties.

GI Joe Charles will also be on hand to award $100 to the winner of his demanding Push-Up Challenge.

Entry fees are $35 for the 10K, 5K and Baby Buggy races. A combo package for the 10K and 5K for $60 is also available. Late registration will be available at the Expo ($40 for 10K, 5K and Baby Buggy; $70 for combo). For more information or to register, visit Redondo10K.com.

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