What started in 2003 as a toy drive to celebrate the relocation of the world’s largest Santa Claus from Carpinteria to Oxnard. Since then it’s grown into a robust running event, toy drive, and community fundraiser. Santa to the Sea includes a Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, plus a 5K Run, and 1K Kids Fun Run and more. A computer chip is placed on the bib of every runner. When the runner crosses the finish line, two electronic mats send a signal to the computer, which records the runner’s time to one-thousandth of a second.
We want to provide all participants with a fun, healthy and safe running event, while supporting and showcasing our local communities. Santa to the Sea is a nonprofit event (tax ID 26–3529617) that helps collect Christmas gifts and toys for underprivileged children in Ventura County. The Santa to the Sea Scholarship Fund partners with the Oxnard College Foundation and the Gene Haas Foundation to award $500 scholarships to local high school students and adults continuing their education at Oxnard College. With your help last year, we gave away thousands of gifts and toys, as well as awarding many deserving students a $500 scholarship for their fall semester at Oxnard College. This year, we hope to do even more. We thank you for running with us, and your helping to make our event a huge success!
We’re more than just a run!
The story begins in 1948 on Carpinteria’s north western outskirts. The owner of a five-stool juice stand met an artistic motorist. For the sum of $500, the legendary Santa statue was born. This collaboration quickly grew into a Santa-driven seaside mall gaining national prominence. In 2003 the new landlord of Santa Claus Lane decided that Santa was no longer the right image, and planned to dismantle the statue. The search began for the Santa statue’s new home.
A New Home for Santa
In 2003 the new landlord of Santa Claus Lane decided that Santa was no longer the right image, and planned to dismantle the statue. The search began for the Santa statue’s new home.
Mike Barber, Race Founder for Santa to the Sea, teamed with the Garden Acres Mutual Water Company to ‘stand up for a homeless Santa’. Between the donations coming in, and the local artists and craftsmen volunteering their time and talents, the plan to move Santa was in motion. In January of that same year Santa moved into his new digs off the 101 Freeway in Nyeland Acres. In 2008, the Santa To The Sea Half Marathon, and the Children’s Christmas Fundraiser were successfully launched, beginning a tradition. A tradition that is destined to last, at least as long as Santa.
Our supervised, non-competitive 1K Kid’s Fun Run starts near the Santa to the Sea finish line, in the EXPO area. The 1K Kids Run is recommended for children 3 and up. With volunteers cheering along the way, the children will follow a paved and safe route, ending with a final sprint in the official finisher’s chute, and under the Santa to the Sea arch. Parents may run with younger children, or cheer along the course. >>Read More>>
Be a part of this years Costume Contest and stand out!
You’ll be judged for originality, enthusiasm and difficulty to run in. Voting for your favorite costume takes place LIVE on the stage inside Santa’s Village. Judges will score you from 1-10 (judges are on the left as you cross the finish line). >>Read More>>
The Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and 5k, is based in the coastal community of Oxnard, CA., about 40 minutes north of Los Angeles. The Half Marathon starts at the legendary Santa Claus statue, located along the 101 freeway in Nyeland Acres, just outside of Oxnard. The runners follow a flat and fast, USATF course, running along the fragrant strawberry fields, through the areas of historic Oxnard decorated for the Holidays, to the beach, and finishing at Channel Islands Harbor and our EXPO Village.
Our lollipop looped 5k course, perfect for both experienced runners and those new to the sport, starts and finishes at the Marine Emporium Landing EXPO Village in the Channel Islands Harbor. Since 2012, we have included a supervised 1K Kid’s Run to the annual event. The Kid’s Run takes place in the EXPO Village, and allows the kids to safely finish, on the race course, and in the Finish Chute.
3701 Orange Dr, Oxnard, CA 93036
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: [email protected]
