Mike Barber, Oxnard Rotarian is the Race Director of the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon. Santa to the Sea half marathon and 5k event is staged in Oxnard, just 40 minutes north of L.A.
The Half Marathon and 2 Person Relay portion of the race starts at the iconic freeway Santa Claus along the 101 freeway on the eastern outskirts of Oxnard. The runners follow a flat course along strawberry fields through areas of historic Oxnard to the beach and Channel Islands Harbor. The race is broken at the half way point in the center of town where the relay runners finish the first leg and start the second leg of their run.
The weather in December is great for running, usually a cool 60º- 65º and no more than 70º by late in the race. The 5k runs from the Marine Emporium Landing in the Channel Islands Harboralong the beach to Oxnard Beach Park and loops back to finish at the harbor.
The Santa to the Sea is a non-profit event ( tax ID 26-3529617) that helps collect toys for Christmas for underprivileged children in Ventura County and also provides scholarships to local high school seniors and continuing students to attend Oxnard College. Not only can you run one of the best races aroun in Southern California but you get to make a difference in the community all on the same day!
With your help, we were able to give away over 2,000 toys and gifts and 36 $500 scholarships for the fall 2012 semester.
In 2012, we hope to double that number and we hope you will join us again in making our event such a huge success!
Our Mission Statement: Provide Participants with fun, healthy and safe running events, while supporting and showcasing our local communities.
Our Goals
1. Provide runners and walkers with a high quality experience
2. Help our local charities
3. Help students realize their dreams of a college education
4. Promote environmental and socially responsible practices
5. Promote our local businesses