From the Organizer
We're excited to be hosting another one of our NIGHT races! And this will be our biggest one yet- we've got more spots than ever before! But don't wait- this race WILL sell out as our last races all did.
Your $20 entry fee will get you this unique "I'm Your Huckleberry" medal and a neat finisher’s bib.
"I'm Your Huckleberry" means "I'm the right person for the job", "I'm the one you're looking for", or "I can handle this."
We KNOW you're the right person for the job of running this race and can absolutely handle this 5k!
In addition to the finishers medal, we will also have additional medals for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female to finish.
If you ran last our Earth Day race back in April (or any of our other races) you know exactly what’s in store! This is an out-and-back course right on the beach boardwalk alongside the sand and surf. The views are absolutely beautiful. We’ll meet right by the Belmont Brewing Company in Long Beach, at the start of Veterans' Pier, and head out on the beach path for a 5k. Bib pickup is between 6 pm and 6:30 pm.
Afterwards, runners will head inside BBC for food, drink, and laughter.
Results will be posted online within 36 hours of the event. This event counts for your Century Club totals, if you're a member of AREC.
RACE BACKGROUND:
This race is in honor of Val Kilmer, who died in April of 2025. The medal itself is a tribute to two of his most iconic movies: Top Gun (1986) where he played Iceman and Tombstone (1993) where he played Doc Holliday. Kilmer made his final film appearance in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), reprising his role from the original film.
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. A tracheal procedure damaged his vocal cords, leaving him unable to speak easily, and he also underwent chemotherapy and two tracheotomies. He released a memoir, I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir, in 2020 and a documentary titled Val the following year, both about his career and health struggles. He died of pneumonia on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65.
Films in which Kilmer appeared grossed more than $3.85 billion worldwide. In 1992, the film critic Roger Ebert remarked, "if there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Kilmer should get it". It's not quite an award, but on July 23rd, we'll help Kilmer be a little less unsung by honoring him in our "I'm Your Huckleberry 5K" race.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
82°
Typical Low
66°
Chance of Rain
2%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Long Beach Daugherty Fld, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
458,491
as of 2023
City Elevation
15 ft
Nearest Airport
LGB
Long Beach International Airport · 3 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at I'm Your Huckleberry 5K (Sponsored by AREC), put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
36
Days to train
Coming Up
Summertime in the LBC 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs
Less than a mile away
CaliFlow Poker Run: High Stakes & Happy Tails 5K. 10K. 1 Miler
Less than a mile away
LBC Summer Breeze – 5K, 10K, 10M, and Half Marathon
Less than a mile away
Popsicle Dash - Free Community Event - 5K by Califlow Runs
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I'm Your Huckleberry 5K (Sponsored by AREC)
Jul 23, 2026