More than 2,500 runners joined in the fun on Saturday morning for the 44th running of the Manhattan Beach 10K.

The morning started with dense fog, but the sun broke through by the time runners finished at the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Stewart Harwell, 37, of Redondo Beach, came in first with a time of 31:42. He was followed by Caleb Ko, 22, of Torrance; and Cheyne Inman, 35, of Torrance. 

Mira Costa runners Owen Franck, 15; Drew Martin, 16; and Kai Graham, 16; were the first Manhattan Beach finishers. They came came in 15th overall. 

On the womens' side, Shadeh Tabatabai, 30, of Redondo Beach, came in first with a time of 36:44 (28th overall).

She was followed by Melody Stockwell, 36, of Hermosa Beach and Lindsay Wandzilak, 34, of Manhattan Beach. 

Runners headed through Downtown Manhattan Beach, the Tree Section, and North Manhattan Beach, finishing with a long stretch down the Strand to end at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Local bands, including small-town favorite the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders, and other supporters lined the race course to cheer runners with music, water, and encouragement. 

Longtime race emcee Susie Young, who has been called the "Vin Scully of the MB10K" cheered on runners with personal encouragement as they approached the finish line. Following the race, the traditional runners' expo featured energy drinks, physical therapy, and fresh produce from GROW. 

And this year, a post-race photo booth for runners encouraged Instagram-friendly snapshots.

The MB10K is one of the few 10K races in the nation that is volunteer organized. Since the first race in 1978, it has been a volunteer effort on the part of the Manhattan 10K Race Committee, and no one gets paid for the work they do organizing the race. There are approximately 30 committee members and some have been with the race since year one.

A celebrated cadre of runners known as the P.I.E.R. Group (Participated In Every Race) has run every MB 10K since the race was founded. The P.I.E.R. Group can be recognized on race day by the color of their race shirt - theirs is printed on a different color to distinguish them from the crowd and to honor their commitment to the MB10K.

Race organizers have been excited to welcome back runners in person, after last year's race was conducted virtually.

Each year, profits from the race go to local fitness-related recreation projects and college scholarships. Entry fees over the years have helped fund local par courses, the Mira Costa High School track, The Strand mile markers, the synthetic turf at the Marine Avenue soccer field, and the 2014 play structure at the Live Oak Park Tot Lot.