City of Corona Comes Together for Inaugural 5000 Celebration

March 23, 2026

On a course built for racing, the Corona 5000 draws elite field, all-ages participation and signals arrival of new Southern California 5K

CORONA (March 23, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – More than a century after race cars sped through Corona’s Grand Boulevard, runners reclaimed the historic loop Saturday at the inaugural Corona 5000, presented by Southwest Healthcare | Corona Regional Medical Center, delivering fast times, a sold-out field and a festival atmosphere that signaled the arrival of a new Southern California race.

The 5K, staged on the city’s perfectly circular, three-mile loop, drew participants of all ages. Twenty-six-year-old Arturs Medveds won the men’s race in 14 minutes, 11 seconds, followed by Salvador Capetillo (14:33) and James Settles (14:36).

Medveds, a Riverside-based runner originally from Latvia, said the course stood out.

“The loop is really unique — I don’t think you find another course like this in California,” he said. “For a first-time event, this was awesome.”

The top 13 men finished under 16 minutes on the flat, fast course.

On the women’s side, Emily Brown won in 16:25, ahead of Sierra Atkins (16:34), with Cora Davies third in 17:44.

“I didn’t really know what to expect coming into a brand-new race like this,” Brown said. “With about half a mile to go, another runner made a move and I was like, ‘Oh, we’re racing now.’ It turned into a really fun, competitive finish.”

Atkins credited the conditions and crowd support as key factors in the overall experience.

“The weather was perfect, and there was a lot of energy out there,” she said. “It made it a really fun place to compete.”

Race organizers partnered with 361° to offer a $3,000 elite prize purse, helping attract a competitive field and elevate the event’s profile. Both Medveds and Brown earned $1,000 for their victories.

Beyond the competition, the event featured a start and finish festival at the Corona Historic Civic Center, with vendor activations, music, a beer garden and vintage cars.

Mayor Jacque Casillas called the race a defining moment for the city.

“This is huge for Corona,” Casillas said. “The last time a race like this was held here was more than 110 years ago. To see the community come together like this is incredibly energizing, and it’s just the beginning.”

With strong turnout, elite performances and broad participation, organizers expect the Corona 5000 to become a staple on the Southern California racing calendar. For complete results, photos and more, visit www.Corona5000.com.