Road Closures Sunday for Newport-Mesa Spirit Run

More than 1,000 people are expected at this weekend's 29th annual Newport-Mesa Spirit Run being held Fashion Island, and with the race comes some road closures.

On Sunday streets surrounding Fashion Island and Newport Center will be closed from 5:30 to 11:15 a.m., according to the Newport Beach Police Department. Attendees are encouraged to get to the Fashion Island area through San Miguel from MacArthur Boulevard or Avocado Drive from East Coast Highway. Kathy Lowe, police spokeswoman, says eastbound San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Center Drive at East Coast Highway and around Fashion Island will be closed.

"We appreciate the community's patience on race day," Lowe said. "In 2011 the Newport –Mesa Spirit Run raised over $50,000 which was distributed over nine Newport-Mesa Unified schools."

If you're headed to the race, parking will be available next to Regal (Edwards Big 6) Cinemas and Farallon and San Miguel drives. Signs and directions will also be posted to help direct traffic.

So far 1,100 participants have signed up for the event and registration is still open. The annual tradition began in 1983 and includes a variety of runs, including 15k, 10k and 5k races for adults, a 5k for youth, a 1-mile race for ages 7 to 12, half-mile race for ages 5 to 6, a quarter-mile race for 4-year-olds and also a Toddler Trot for children 2 to 3 years old.

Pre-race day registration is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Athleta at Fashion Island. Participants can register on Sunday starting at 6 a.m.