HUNTINGTON BEACH : After Losing $77, Pier Run in Jeopardy

Officials are evaluating the future of the Pier Run after this year’s event attracted a disappointing number of runners and failed to make money for the upkeep of the municipal pier, the main goal of the event.

Only 1,787 participants competed in Pier Run 93 on June 13, and the event lost $77, City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga said in a report. However, receipts later showed that the event broke about even, an official said Monday.

Officials had expected 3,000 to 4,000 athletes to compete in the 5-K walk and run and 10-K run from the pier to Bolsa Chica State Beach.

In his report, Uberuaga said city staff members and the organizing committee will evaluate whether the run should be continued.

Bob Traver, president of that committee, said one of the reasons for the low turnout was that it was held on the same day as the AIDS Walk in Irvine, one of the most successful single-day fund-raising events in county history.

The walk was planned after the Pier Run date had been set, he said.

Traver also said the economy had a dampening effect on the willingness of runners to pay $12 and $15 entry fees.

Traver said his committee may recommend that the Pier Run be held in August next year, as part of the Huntington Beach Pierfest. This year’s Pierfest, scheduled Aug. 21-22, offers fishing derbies, surf, rock, jazz and country music, arts and crafts, a carnival and sidewalk sales.

Mayor Grace Winchell said Monday that the proposal to incorporate the Pier Run into the Pierfest weekend must be examined closely, in light of complaints from downtown residents that a melee last month was attributed to huge crowds attracted to the city by multiple events over the 4th of July weekend.