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MB 10K Cumulative Donations to the Community Reach $750K

Feb 26, 2024 10:04PM ● By Jeanne Fratello

Photo via MB 10K

The nonprofit MB 10K race, which traditionally donates its proceeds back to the community, has announced that it has given back more than $40,000 from the October 2023 run. All told, the race organization has given more than $750,000 back to the city in the last 46 years.

The total proceeds from the October 2023 race came to $41,285, which went toward the donation of the new par course exercise equipment on The Strand and 27th Street, as well as scholarships and other local projects.

"This year we had our largest number of registrations in over 10 years, including selling out the Wednesday prior to the race," race director Michael Weisberg told MB News. "Our mission is simple: Put on a really fun race that brings people together, promotes health and wellness, and supports local initiatives, charities, and organizations." 


An All-Volunteer-Run Race


The MB10K is the largest "pure" 10K in California (meaning only a 10K run, no other races) and has been ranked as one of the top 100 road races in the United States. Of those top 100, it is the only one without a corporate sponsor, thanks to its all-volunteer race committee. Its only source of income is the runners' entry fees.

A time-honored MB10K tradition is for the race committee to donate all proceeds directly back to the community in the form of health and fitness enhancements to the recreation facilities of local schools and parks, local school booster clubs; as well as scholarships to Manhattan Beach high school seniors.

Specific MB 10K projects have included Mira Costa High School track refurbishing, an exercise facility at the Manhattan Beach Middle School, a climbing wall at Manhattan Heights Park, Strand mile markers, a play structure at Polliwog Park and artificial turf at AYSO field on Marine.

The race - which is run on the first Saturday in October - is replete with other longstanding traditions as well. An elite cadre of runners known as the P.I.E.R. runners (Participated In Every Race) have run all 46 of the past MB10K races. Those men and women - most of whom are now in their 70s and 80s - are treated as V.I.P.s at the race, receiving special t-shirts and gift bags. A total of 27 P.I.E.R runners finished the race in 2023.

Along with runners of all ages from Manhattan Beach who run and walk through the 6.2 mile course, community groups and local bands traditionally line the race course to hand out water and boost runners' morale with cheers and music.

A variety of local businesses and organizations, including Manhattan Beach favorites GROW and Fresh Brothers, hand out goodies after the race.

The 2024 race will take place on October 5. Early-bird registration is now open.


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