Our Mission:
Youth Fitness & Causes
Learn why America’s Premier Miler, Steve Scott, loves Spirit Run and returns each year.
Instead of a single “kids’ dash,” we separate youth participants by age in separate races.
We warm up, and pump up, the kids before each race.
Our history, mission, and success
History
From 1983-2010, Spirit Run was presented by PTAs from five Newport Beach elementary schools which shared its net proceeds.
In 2010, Newport-Mesa Spirit Run, Inc. (NMSRI), a California 501(c)(3) non profit, was founded to continue Spirit Run and share its net proceeds with schools throughout the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
Also, since 2017, any school, youth sport, or youth cause may apply to fundraise with us. Visit the Fundraise Page to learn more.
Mission
NMSRI’s Board of Directors are unpaid, volunteers dedicated to continuing Spirit Run, youth fitness, providing free event entries to underprivileged students, and donating event net proceeds to participating schools, youth sports, and other youth causes.
Our Success
$370,000 in cash donated to schools, sports teams, and other youth causes.
More than 2,500 free event entries donated to underprivileged youth.
Free training at lower income, elementary schools to prepare students for Spirit Run.
Free bus transportation to Spirit Run to lower income students and families.
Broadest range of youth races of any road racing event including Toddler Trot, multiple age-based 1/4-1- mile races, and unique Youth 5k.
Acknowledgements
Steve Scott, America’s Premier Miler
“I have never been in a race with such great enthusiasm and support from the participants. They cheer for everyone from start to finish.”
Steve Scott is an Olympian with the world record for running the most sub-4 minute miles. Steve attends Spirit Run each year, to pump up the kids before, and lead them in, the youth races. Steve has also started the adult mile races since they were introduced in 2016.
Jerry Palazzo, Kids’ Running Coach
“Spirit Run is the premier youth road-racing event in Southern California, being the only one I know of that treats youth distance runners as competitors in the sport, rather than simply adding ‘kid’ races as a sideshow to an adult-oriented event. The energy in the Youth Only 5K delivers race times not seen in typical ‘all-ages’ events, and the unique Elite 1-Mile road race is a barnburner that leaves spectators staring at the clock with disbelief.I have never been in a race with such great enthusiasm and support from the participants. They cheer for everyone from start to finish.”
Jerry Palzzo founded and headed one of Southern California’s most popular and succesful youth running clubs.