OXNARD — The iconic Santa statue in the Oxnard community of Neyland Acres will once again serve as the starting line for the 9th Annual Santa to the Sea Half-Marathon, taking place Sunday Dec. 11th beginning at 8am.
The flat, fast USATF certified and sanctioned course winds its way through Oxnard’s agricultural fields and historic downtown district on its way to the holiday finish line festival at the Channel Islands Harbor. The finish line festival also serves as the start and finish location for the 5K Run/Walk which follows a waterfront route through the harbor. Family friendly events include a holiday costume contest, kids 1K, diaper dash, kids’ fun zone, and an expo of fitness and holiday vendors.
For the last eight years, the popular holiday fitness event has served as one of Ventura County’s largest holiday charity fundraisers, raising toys and scholarship funds for Oxnard’s underserved children and youth. Race participants are asked to bring unwrapped toys to the starting line, and the gifts are distributed at the annual toy giveaway event at Santa Claus Park. This year’s giveaway will take place on Saturday Dec. 17th. The 2015 races raised over 3,000 toys, and event organizers are hoping to meet the growing need in the community of Oxnard by raising 4,500 toys this year.
In addition to serving as a crucial holiday toy drive, proceeds from race registrations and sponsorships provided 100 scholarships to local college students as well as support for area non-profits including FOOD Share of Ventura County, The Boys & Girls Club, and United Way of Ventura County.
“There is so much that can be done to give back,” said Race Director Mike Barber. “We’re hoping to make 2016 the most successful event to date so we can really make an impact for the children, students, and service organizations in our community.”
Registration for the iconic event is still open. For race details and sign-up information, visit www.santatothesea.com
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.