Crown City Classic Opens Fourth of July With Record Crowds, Patriotic Spirit

July 7, 2026

American distance star Jess McClain and local standout Dylan Marx win 53rd annual Independence Day road race as nearly 3,000 runners kick off Coronado’s 4th of July celebration

SAN DIEGO (July 7, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Nearly 3,000 runners celebrated Independence Day in Coronado on Saturday as American distance star Jess McClain and San Diego’s Dylan Marx won the featured 12K races at the 53rd annual Crown City Classic.

The patriotic scene matched the occasion. Red, white and blue covered Tidelands Park, from painted faces and festive attire to the 1,200-square-foot American flag – the largest on the West Coast – suspended above the start line.

With the United States marking its 250th birthday, hundreds of participants embraced the theme, wearing George Washington wigs, colonial costumes and enough stars and stripes to rival the parade that followed

Among the runners was distance-running star Jess McClain. The Arizona native became the first woman to win the race overall in 2023, a victory that reignited her elite career. Now 34, McClain is one of the nation’s top marathoners, finishing as the top U.S. woman at the past two Boston Marathons, including a fifth-place finish this year in an American course-record 2:20:49.

For the fifth time she has entered the race (McClain skipped the event last year) she was once again the first woman across the finish line in the 12K, covering the course in 39:17, a 5:15-per-mile pace.

McClain, whose in-laws served in the Navy and live in Coronado, cherishes the race.

“Oh my gosh, it’s the best,” said McClain, shortly after crossing the finish line. “This is the race that got me into it when I was soft retired. It’s cool to be on the start line with thousands of people, all just out here to kick off the Fourth of July in a fun way. I love the running community because you have people out here for all different reasons, all different abilities. Everyone just wants to start the day on a good note.”

The men’s race offered a local flavor as 34-year-old Dylan Marx, a Mount Miguel High School graduate, won in 37:03, a 4:58-per-mile pace.

“(Race director) Jamie Monroe put on an absolute clinic in race environment,” said Marx.

It didn’t hurt that while the East Coast was locked in an oppressive heat wave with triple-digit temperatures, Coronado offered ideal running conditions, with cloud cover, costal temperatures in the upper 60s at the start and even a light sprinkle of rain.

“The patriotic vibes were overwhelming, unifying,” said Marx, a two-time qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. “Everyone was there to celebrate, have a good time and make some room for a barbecue later on.”

La Jolla’s May McConkey won the women’s 5K in 16:54, a 5:26-per-mile pace. Angel Aguirre of Temecula won the men’s 5K in 14:36, a 4:42-per-mile pace.

“The atmosphere was energetic, just putting it out there for our country, celebrating 250 years,” said Aguirre. “It doesn’t matter where you come from. If you come here, you love the people, love the culture. You immerse yourself. The American culture is everyone who’s here.”

Coronado’s athletic weekend continues Sunday with the newly renamed Crown City Open Water Swim at Glorietta Bay, featuring one-mile, half-mile and youth sprint races. Participants who complete both the run and swim will earn the exclusive Crown City Challenge Medal.

For complete results, photos and more, visit www.CrownCityRun.com.