Jr. Guards do the Monster Mile
Hundreds of beaming parents and curious onlookers crowded onto the Balboa Pier Thursday afternoon for the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard’s Monster Mile.
A red-and-orange, fire-breathing balloon dragon greeted the 1,100 exhausted swimmers as they completed the race.
Joann Sevigny of Newport Coast was on the beach to cheer on her 14-year-old, Jolie.
“It’s so exciting with all the kids,” Sevigny said. “It’s just an amazing event.”
Jolie and a friend dressed as tourists for their monster race costume, complete with long shorts, Hawaiian shirts, cameras and sunglasses.
“It was a last-minute decision,” Sevigny said.
Maybe it was practicing with junior lifeguards, or her loyal fan base on the shoreline, that led Jolie to finish fourth with a 34:11 time.
Nearby Tina Burke of Newport Beach waited for her 14-year-old, Griffin, and 11-year-old, Alexis, to cross the finish line with a camera at the ready.
“I’m their biggest fan,” she said.
Burke is glad the program teaches her kids commitment and a familiarity with the ocean, and both of her children are repeat Monster Mile racers. Griffin finished third in his division with a 31:15 time.
“It’s just part of our summer,” Burke said. “It’s the best part of the program. We love it.”
A black-and-red stage was decked out for the event with the Great Wall of China and terra cotta warrior cutouts along the platform as part of the race’s Year of the Dragon theme.
Luke Bradbury, 15, took first place, saying his time playing water polo trained him for his finish. His 29:15 time earned him a place in the top 10 finishes of all time, an announcer told the audience.
More than 1,200 kids participated in the Monster Mile, with 100 who ran the course and 1,100 kids who swam the race, according to Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz.
Twitter: @lawilliams30