After taking part in the San Diego Santa Run for the first time last year, Jill and Edward Redikop of Chula Vista had so much fun they made it a point to once again jog along the blocked-off streets of Pacific Beach on Saturday.
“What’s great about this is when you’re on the course, you see a sea of Santas on the road with you,” Jill Redikop said. “And there’s a nice, warm feeling about that.”
Established in 2013, the Santa Run has quickly grown into one of the most popular holiday events in San Diego. An all-time high of 5,000 runners jogged (or in some cases, walked) along the 5-kilometer course — so many that registrations were sold out well ahead of race day.
“We just keep growing in the right direction,” said Pete Hess, co-founder of San Diego Running Co., which owns and operates the Santa Run. “The only thing we ask (of the attendees) is just keep a smile on your face and have a fun time.”
Spectators along the sidewalks cheered and waved at the runners, who wended their way through the streets Saturday morning. The sight of thousands of red-and-white clad Santas heading down Cass Street is so striking and the atmosphere so friendly that USA Today readers listed the San Diego Santa Run as the best fun run in the country.
“The visuals of thousands of people taking the streets go viral every year,” Hess said.
A record number of entrants clogged Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach for the annual San Diego Santa Run.
(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The number of registrants has grown so large that organizers stagger the starts to make sure the flow of runners stays relatively smooth. After the main run is completed, a 1-mile run for children is held, followed by a 1-mile run for dogs and their owners.
To give the event its distinctive Southern California holiday atmosphere, the $50 registration fee includes “Sunny Santa” running shorts, a top, a belt, sunglasses and a faux Santa beard.
“I said, ‘OK, we’re down,’” said 17-year-old Caroline Knight of Carmel Valley, as she pulled the Santa top over her head before heading to the starting line with her father, Jim. “Who doesn’t want to dress up as Santa?”
The registration fees pay for the expenses associated with organizing the event and help defray the costs of the Pacific Beach Holiday Parade that is held immediately after the run wraps up.
“I don’t think we could do the parade without them,” said Sunny Lee, executive director of Discover Pacific Beach, a business improvement district that promotes neighborhood merchants and organizes the parade. In its 43rd year, the Holiday Parade runs down Garnet Avenue, from Haines Street to Cass Street.
Some runners wore their own costumes.
Complete with bright green face paint, Naomi Silva of Lemon Grove dressed as the Grinch for her inaugural Santa Run.
“What I like about the Grinch is he doesn’t like all the noise and the excess of Christmas but in the end, he realizes that it’s about spending time with people that you care about and getting down to the essence of what the holiday means,” Silva said.
In honor of his favorite holiday movie character, Casey Gardner of Point Loma dressed down for Saturday’s run. Imitating Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Gardner wore a dingy bathrobe, topped with a floppy trapper hat.
“For me, to run in this is all about motivation and this provides 100 percent motivation,” said Gardner, who stayed in character by accessorizing his get-up with a stubbed out cigar and a canned adult beverage.
The receipts from the annual San Diego Santa Run helps defray the costs associated with the Pacific Beach Holiday Parade, which is held after the run is completed.
(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
While the Santa Run’s vibe is not competitive, former Olympic triathlete Joe Maloy of Carlsbad finished first in the men’s division. “It was like all my reindeer were out partying all night and I had to do all the work myself,” the 37-year-old said.
After finishing second last year, 24-year-old Samantha Svidesskis of Oceanside finished first in the women’s division. “This Santa outfit is hot,” Svidesskis said moments after crossing the finish line.
By late morning, David and Mary Jo Lau of Serra Mesa — eight-year veterans of the fun run — retired to the Break Point restaurant for a post-race bloody Mary.
“You need to increase your potassium; it’s for health reasons,” she said with a laugh.
