TENTATIVE RACE DETAILS FOR 2026

Mandatory PACKET PICK-UP: Thursday, May 7, 2026

Road Runner Sports Costa Mesa
1835 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
• Packet Pickup from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

NOTE:
You can pickup your friend’s packet too if they can’t make it.

50K, 25K, & 5K
Each Participant Gets A Grit Series Participant Shirt And Finisher Mug!
Register Early To Get The Best Deal! 

IN YOUR PACKET:
Bib, John Wayne Grit Series Shirt, and Other Goodies

NOTE:
Each participant will get their finisher mug when they cross the finish line.

race day schedule

The John Wayne Grit Series Newport Coast 50K, 25K & 5K are at Crystal Cove State Park

50K announcements at 5:45 AM
50K Run starts at 6:00 AM
Cut-off Time: 8 hrs

25K announcements at 7:15 AM
25K Run starts at 7:30 AM
Cut-Off Time: 4 hrs

5K announcements at 8:15 AM
5K Run starts at 8:30 AM
Cut-Off Time: 2 hrs

race day parking

Parking is Available Inside the Park ($15)
You will pay to park on your phone using QR codes on signs in lots.

Pay by Apple Pay, Google Pay or Credit Card only. NO CASH.
You can use Wi-Fi listed on the sign.

Note: The parking payment company is LAZ parking.
they charge a transaction fee of $1.
Failure to pay will result in a parking ticket.
You will NOT pay at the kiosks with attendant.
Instead, you will pay on your phone using QR code.

50K Runners - park at El Moro lot

25K/5K Runners - Park at Reef Point & Los Trancos Lots
Take Shuttles to start line and back after event

Click map below to enlarge and get more details.

MERCHANDISE for sale

Complete Your Look With Additional JWGS Merchandise Available For Sale At The Event.

FOOD for sale

Bear Flag will serve Poké bowls and they will be accepting credit cards and Apple Pay.

cancer survivors

All cancer survivors who sign up for the event, get your complimentary yellow bandana at packet pickup (while supplies last) & wear it on the course to show your grit.

photos and videos

SMILE!!!
Make Sure To Bring Your Phones And Take Some Selfies And Photos During Your Run. The Views Will Be Stunning!

There Will Also Be Plenty Of Opportunities To Get Your Photos (And Possibly Videos) Taken At The Start/Finish Line And Along The Picturesque Race Course By Our Team Of Photographers And Videographers.

We'll Also Have A Digital Photo Booth in the expo area by the Start/Finish line on Race Day.

Feel Free To Share Your Photos On Your Social Network And Tag Us
@JohnWayneCancerFoundation
#RunToFightCancer
#JohnWayneGritSeries

ADDITIONAL RACE AND EVENT INFO

Race Medals for JWGS Newport Coast, CA

There Is A Race Component And Podium Prizes
There Are Three Female And Three Male Winners For Each Course – That’s 18 Total Podium Medals And Prizes

THIS EVENT IS CUP LESS

Bring your own hydration pack or Handheld Water Bottles that has a large enough Opening (See above for example) so that volunteers can refill them easily at Each Aid station. 

There will not be any cups at the aid stations. We will have filled water bottles for finishers at the finish line.

Runners can also pickup their complimentary Nathan water cup at the event expo/start line area before starting their run.

There will not be any cups at the aid stations. We will have filled water bottles for finishers at the finish line.

FINISH LINE:
Receive your Finisher mug and Finisher shirt

We’ll also provide a special bib at the event that say “I run for…” on them and have a blank space in the middle so that runners can write the names of their honorees on them to raise awareness for cancer.

WHERE TO STAY:
Check here to view Tripadvisor.com for a list of hotels in the area.