DATE: 08/19/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
2026-296
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OC MARATHON LLC TO HOST THE CORONA 5000 ROAD RACE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks that the City Council approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OC Marathon LLC for the Corona 5000 Road Race for a three-year term from 2027–2029. The approval of the MOU will allow the City of Corona, in partnership with the OC Marathon, to move forward with event planning, logistics, interdepartmental coordination, and public outreach.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the OC Marathon, LLC., to coordinate and produce the Corona 5000 Road Race for the years 2027-2029 subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of the Corona Municipal Code, including but not limited to Chapter 12.32 (Special Events and Street Closures), and any other relevant local, county, or state regulations. b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all necessary agreements and permits with OC Marathon LLC.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The Corona 5000 Road Race is the City’s newest signature community event, which was produced in partnership with OC Marathon, LLC for its inaugural race on March 21, 2026.
The race drew more than 2,900 participants and demonstrated strong community enthusiasm.
The City would like to continue its partnership with OC Marathon to foster the Corona 5000 Road Race as a premier 5K event that celebrates Corona’s historic racing heritage while meeting modern operational and safety standards. As an annual event, the Corona 5000 will become an iconic community tradition that promotes health and wellness, supports broad community participation, and reinforces Corona’s identity as a regional recreation destination.
Corona’s connection to road racing is deeply rooted in its history, with three notable “Corona Road Races” held in the early 1900s. Grand Boulevard’s 3.1-mile circular roadway served as the racetrack, drawing national attention and positioning Corona as a center of innovation and excitement. The Corona 5000 Road Race honors this legacy by utilizing the same historic course and delivering a modern, family-friendly event that blends tradition with present day priorities of health, wellness, and community involvement. Over the term of the new MOU, the event is expected to continue growing, expanding, and adapting, allowing for new race features, enhanced programming, and opportunities to enrich the participant experience as the event evolves each year.
ANALYSIS:
The City’s successful partnership with the OC Marathon in 2026 for the inaugural Corona 5000 Road Race resulted in a sold-out event with over 2,900 participants. OC Marathon’s nationally recognized experience positions the City to grow the event, elevate the runner experience, and increase community participation. Partnering with the OC Marathon provides the capacity to scale operations, introduce new program elements, and support long-term event development. They have a proven ability to deliver largescale, well-managed races, along with strong youth engagement and charitable partnerships. This creates a solid foundation for expanding the Corona 5000 into a signature event that enhances community visibility and economic activity.
Following last year’s successful implementation, Grand Boulevard has been confirmed as a safe and effective route for the Corona 5000. The 2027 race will maintain its single
3.1-mile lap and is expected to welcome more than 3,000 participants, reflecting continued growth and strong community interest. A new kid’s race will further expand family participation. Additionally, staff are exploring coordination with CoronaNorco Unified School District (CNUSD) to hold their annual boxcar races the Friday before the event, creating a dynamic, multiday community celebration. As planning progresses, participation may increase based on parking availability and overall operational capacity, supporting long-term expansion of the event.
The traffic plan used during last year’s event proved to be highly successful, and after follow-up discussions with the Police Department, it has been determined that the same operational format will be used in future years with minor adjustments as needed.
The event will require temporary closures along Grand Boulevard, though traffic inside the circle will remain open.
From 8:00 to 9:15 a.m., residents inside Grand Blvd. that wish to exit the circle will be directed to the eastbound and westbound SR91 freeway on-ramps, ensuring continuous outbound access during peak race activity. Once the race clears North Main Street at approximately 9:15 a.m., each quadrant of Grand Boulevard will reopen sequentially as participants progress along the course. Main Street freeway exits (eastbound and westbound) will be closed from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. to support safe race operations.
Emergency access will always be maintained via North Main, East Sixth, and South Main, with officers authorized to briefly pause runners or walkers to allow emergency vehicles to cross the course safely.
Following the race, a post event celebration will take place on the Historic Civic Center front lawn from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The festivities will include the finish line and awards area, sponsor and exhibitor booths, DJ entertainment, food vendors, and a beer garden, creating an engaging and welcoming environment for both runners and spectators.
Compliance with Chapter 12.32 of the Corona Municipal Code will be required, including permits, insurance, public notification of street closures, and coordination with City departments to ensure public safety and effective traffic management. Hosting the event on Grand Boulevard offers a unique opportunity to honor Corona’s historic road races, but it requires year-round, cross-departmental collaboration, particularly with Police, Public Works, Fire, and Community Services.
The City has also negotiated a shared revenue model with OC Marathon for sponsorships, exhibitors, and Corona 5000 registration fees. Under the proposed agreement, the City will receive 25% of revenue generated from sponsors and exhibitors.
In addition, the City will receive an increasing percentage of Corona 5000 registration fee revenues over the term of the agreement, as follows:
Year 1: 5%
Year 2: 7.5%
Year 3: 10%
This incremental revenue-sharing structure provides the City with an opportunity to increase its share of event-generated revenues as the Corona 5000 continues to grow. With continued outreach and strong interdepartmental coordination, the Corona 5000 Road Race is expected to generate positive community engagement while meeting regulatory standards and public expectations.
COMMISSION ACTION:
On August 11, 2026, the Parks and Recreation Commission received a report on the Corona 5000 Road Race. Following the report, a motion was made by Commissioner Munoz and seconded by Commissioner McBride to recommend approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OC Marathon, LLC for the Corona 5000 Road Race. The motion passed 5-0.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the recommended actions is included in the FY 2027 Community Services Department Operating Budget within General Fund (FD_1110). Funding for future fiscal years will be recommended through the annual budget process. The financial impact to the City will primarily consist of in-kind services, staffing, and resources, with any municipal costs related to public safety, traffic control, facility use, logistical support, and the post-event celebration reimbursed from the $25,000 annual allocation. The event is structured as a partnership with OC Marathon, LLC., which will assume financial responsibility for race production, registration, marketing, and participant amenities. The City has further negotiated an incremental shared revenue model for sponsorships and ticket sales with OC Marathon.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action is to approve a Memorandum of OC Marathon LLC for the Corona 5000 Road Race, and there is no possibility that approving this agreement will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: MONIQUE LEON, RECREATION MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: DONNA FINCH, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Memorandum of Understanding with OC Marathon LLC
2. Exhibit 2 – Corona 5000 Road Race Presentation