Hundreds of people run around Grand Prix of Long Beach track during annual 5K

Hundreds of racers burned rubber on Sunday morning, April 14.

But they were not talking about tires. That’ll come later this week, when the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach returns.

No, we’re talking about sneakers.

Runners are off to the races on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the start of the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. Since its inception in 1991, the foundation has donated more than $4 million to Southern California charities. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Participants reach the finish line on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Spectators cheer on participants on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. Since its inception in 1991, the foundation has donated more than $4 million to Southern California charities. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Elite runners take off on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the start of the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Participants reach the finish line on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Runners and walkers replace IndyCars on the race course on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

A youngster shows her style on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Runners are off to the races on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the start of the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Youngsters are off for a ride around the track on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the start of the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Participants gather in the check-in area on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, for the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Runners are off to the races on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the start of the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Participants gather in the check-in area on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, for the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Elite runners take off on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, at the start of the sixth annual Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach hosted its sixth annual 5K run/walk fundraiser on Sunday, giving participants the chance to motor around the street circuit that, come Friday, will feature actual motors.

More than 1,700 people had registered for the race, according to the event’s website, and there were three divisions: an elite/pro category, one for the general public and a 1K for children. Those who competed in the 5K ran two laps around the Grand Prix of Long Beach circuit, including along Pine Avenue and Seaside Way — and, of course, the ended at the same checkered start/finish line as the pro drivers will during the Grand Prix.

Everyone who completed the race received a finisher’s medal, a Grand Prix Foundation 5K T-shirt and two general admission tickets to Day 1 of the Grand Prix on Friday, April 19.

The Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach is a nonprofit that was founded in 1991. It provides grants to other nonprofits, as well as scholarships to students. Last year, for example, the foundation awarded $1,500 scholarships to eight high school seniors in Long Beach.

Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $4 million to Southern California charities, according to its website.

And for the last six years, the 5K run/walk has been helped raise even more money the foundation can dole out to worthy causes and students.

After all, it cost $50 a pop to run in the 5K and $15 for the Kids Turbo 1K — meaning this year’s race brought in around $85,000 in registration fees alone.

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