VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County’s most festive fitness event has issued a new challenge for area corporations, companies, and small businesses. Taking place on Sunday, December 11th, the annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and 5K is asking leaders in the business community to challenge their rival company, department, or strategic partners to run the half marathon, half marathon relay, or 5K race and collect pledges to raise money for the Oxnard College Foundation.
For the last eight years, Santa to the Sea has served as one the county’s largest charitable events. Race participants bring holiday toy donations to the starting line to benefit the children and families of Nyeland Acres in Oxnard, and race proceeds are divided amongst area non-profit organizations including FOOD Share, the Boys & Girls Club, United Way, and Ventura County Animal Services.
The inaugural corporate charity challenge will raise funds to benefit local college students who need help paying for tuition. The 2015 race provided 100 such scholarships.
“We wanted to do something different this year to get more of our local businesses involved and raise awareness of the scholarship funds the race generates every year,” said Mike Barber, Event Director for Santa to the Sea. “The Corporate Challenge is a great way for people to give back to the community by supporting local students, and it gets everyone into the holiday spirit.”
Every penny raised by the Corporate Challenge will be matched by the Oxnard College Foundation to provide a local youth with a scholarship. The corporate or business team that raises the most money will win the coveted Santa to the Sea Corporate Challenge trophy to display in their office or place of business for the entire year.
For more information about the Corporate Challenge and how to register your team, visit http://www.santatothesea.com/corporate-challenge
About Santa to the Sea: Almost 13 years ago, Santa moved from his previous home on Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria, CA to his new residence off the 101 Freeway in Neyland Acres in Oxnard, CA. So great was the community support of and efforts to assist with Santa’s relocation, that his new owner and Santa to the Sea race director Mike Barber, launched the annual Santa Claus Park toy giveaway in 2003. Recognizing the increasing need throughout the city of Oxnard, Barber launched the Santa to the Sea half marathon in 2008 to raise toys and funds to serve the youth of the community. Now in its 9th year, Santa to the Sea is one of the most festive races and largest one-day toy drives in Ventura County.