Overall Rating
Overall Rating (14 Reviews)
4.1
(14 Ratings)  (14 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
2.1
SCENERY
3.5
PRODUCTION
4.3
SWAG
4.1
Santa to the Sea is a nonprofit event born out of a desire to give back to the community. What started in 2003 as a toy drive to celebrate the relocation of the world’s largest Santa Claus from Carpentaria to Oxnard, has grown into a robust running event, toy drive, … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Dec 10):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  63  59  63  64  64
L (°F)  50  48  41  43  47
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Recent reviews

    ambatjuliak FIRST-TIMER '23

    Very well set-up, great energy! They advertise this as a downhill race. Overall, it is downhill. However, that does NOT mean there are no hills. There are definitely hills. Will … MORE

    Very well set-up, great energy! They advertise this as a downhill race. Overall, it is downhill. However, that does NOT mean there are no hills. There are definitely hills. Will return though. Efficient setup and everything rang smoothly.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

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    msmuffintop FIRST-TIMER '23

    Here's what is really great about it: Check in is so slick. You don't need to bring your paper signed waiver because you already electronically signed it when you registered. … MORE

    Here’s what is really great about it: Check in is so slick. You don’t need to bring your paper signed waiver because you already electronically signed it when you registered. You don’t have to remember you bib number, because they hand out the bibs in the order they pass them out and assign your name to that bib at the moment you pick it up. This software enables them to call you out by name when you are crossing the finish line, that was cool.

    The scenery is great. They worked hard to have lots of porta potties. We had no trouble finding a parking space or getting a seat on a shuttle.

    It’s fun to see the community involved with school bands etc., playing while you run, police holding up traffic we don’t have to break pace, and neighbors waving from their yards. The shirt was also very cute.

    Runner beware: the logistics to the 10k start are not very friendly. The last shuttle leaves the parking structure at 7am and one is highly highly encouraged to come early. If you miss that shuttle you are roughly 3 miles from your start point. Our shuttle dropped us at the start point about 1 hr before the race started and it was cold! There is an opportunity to do a gear drop, so you might wear a sweatshirt and then take it off 10 min before race time, but I really don’t understand why it’s designed to drop people so early. There’s no entertainment for that hour. . . we just milled around and chatted with other runners. We could have parked closer to the start point and thus not been an hour early however if you do that you won’t have a shuttle ride back to your parking space.

    I do not believe the problems with the 10k start/shuttle/parking are true of the other distances. So maybe your first time out you might pick one of those distances. That was really my only issue. Considering how well the rest of the logistics were handled that puzzled me

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Cwarriner FIRST-TIMER '22

    This was a fairly simple race and good for beginners. The roads are easy and flat. The whole event was well organized from start to finish. I had a great … MORE

    This was a fairly simple race and good for beginners. The roads are easy and flat. The whole event was well organized from start to finish. I had a great time.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

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    Ali6184 FIRST-TIMER '21

    The aid stations were awesome and the volunteers helped me stay hydrated. The most unique aspect of the race was the Santa Clause theme. The race could be improved with … MORE

    The aid stations were awesome and the volunteers helped me stay hydrated. The most unique aspect of the race was the Santa Clause theme. The race could be improved with more food options.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    VanessaH FIRST-TIMER '19

    This proceeds of this race goes to the community to give scholarships and toys for the youth. Is a great race, many water stations and community members cheering along the … MORE

    This proceeds of this race goes to the community to give scholarships and toys for the youth. Is a great race, many water stations and community members cheering along the way. The medals and shirts are great quality as well.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    victortsi2 FIRST-TIMER '16

    From what I've heard weather is very cold, but this year that I ran it it was a warm morning. Course is fast and flat. A lot of spectators, volunteers, … MORE

    From what I’ve heard weather is very cold, but this year that I ran it it was a warm morning. Course is fast and flat. A lot of spectators, volunteers, aid stations. Parked about a mile from start line to grab shuttle. Then a shuttle from finish line to parking lot. Nice medal, nice shirt. Big race with a lot of fast runners. Good course for a PR. I was the 1:30 pacer for this one and brought the group a few seconds under 1:30:) Great race.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
    My Media

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    runforbeer REPEAT RUNNER '15

    The course is almost 100% flat with the exception of one bridge. The first half is somewhat boring, but the crowds and community support pick up once you hit downtown … MORE

    The course is almost 100% flat with the exception of one bridge. The first half is somewhat boring, but the crowds and community support pick up once you hit downtown Oxnard. They collect and donate A LOT of toys at this event.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    ECuster REPEAT RUNNER '15

    This race is fun and really flat. I don't care for the expo, as it is very small and there is not a lot going on. I was excited to … MORE

    This race is fun and really flat. I don’t care for the expo, as it is very small and there is not a lot going on. I was excited to see that they had merchandise for sale this year, which is not something they used to have a lot of. I enjoy the course because it is flat and easy. The neighborhoods that get out there are also really nice and a lot of kids are out there which means a lot of energy! It is always nice to have that. It is a smaller race which is nice as well, but it does take awhile to open up on the course since the roads are very narrow.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    dana.0212 FIRST-TIMER '14

    I ran this race with a group of friends - nice route, enjoyed the different "neighborhoods" competing to be the most festive. I appreciated the option of having my race … MORE

    I ran this race with a group of friends – nice route, enjoyed the different “neighborhoods” competing to be the most festive. I appreciated the option of having my race bib mailed since my friends and I decided to make the two hour drive the morning of instead of staying overnight. Race was well organized.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    hgreasby REPEAT RUNNER '14

    I love this run! So awesome all the effort they put into it on the course. Music, people dancing, Santa... SO AWESOME!!!! If you run this race please bring a … MORE

    I love this run! So awesome all the effort they put into it on the course. Music, people dancing, Santa… SO AWESOME!!!! If you run this race please bring a toy to the starting line. Doing this run again 2015!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    oconnellrm REPEAT RUNNER '14

    It's so munch fun to run through the different neighborhoods and have such great support! Each neighborhood does something different to cheer on the runners from Mariachi Bands to entire … MORE

    It’s so munch fun to run through the different neighborhoods and have such great support! Each neighborhood does something different to cheer on the runners from Mariachi Bands to entire highschool bands!!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    ECuster REPEAT RUNNER '13

    It is always COLD COLD COLD when I run this race but it is perfect to get you into that Christmas spirit! There are lots of fun costumes all around … MORE

    It is always COLD COLD COLD when I run this race but it is perfect to get you into that Christmas spirit! There are lots of fun costumes all around and starting at the giant Santa is always great. I love that they also did a toy drive for kids in need so you can do good and run as well. The course is flat and there are a lot of spectators. The shuttles ran smoothly and there were no issues. They showed up and dropped off when they said they would and there were designated areas for them. I didn’t have any problems. The host hotel was also very nice and they were able to help us with getting the shuttle. Packet pick up was easy, but they do not offer a big expo like other races. They didn’t have much for sale and it would have been nice to have a little more options for merchandise.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    3

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    Jenshaw26 FIRST-TIMER '13

    Flat course through Oxnard and you finish by the marina, but nothing really exciting. Great volunteers and finish line goodies. The expo at the finish line was super crowded. MORE

    Flat course through Oxnard and you finish by the marina, but nothing really exciting. Great volunteers and finish line goodies. The expo at the finish line was super crowded.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    3

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    runnergirl8 FIRST-TIMER '13

    This is very high spirited race that does an amazing job with its toy drive. I have never seen such a large pile of toys before. If you do this … MORE

    This is very high spirited race that does an amazing job with its toy drive. I have never seen such a large pile of toys before. If you do this race please bring an unwrapped $10.00 gift. These gifts to the children in the community and as you run this course it becomes apparent why this toy drive is so important.

    The race starts is a creepy, sketchy alley type street. The only thing I didn’t really like about this race. It goes up and over one single overpass and then is pancake flat all the way to the finish. the first half of the course is strawberry fields and industrial buildings. (boring)

    Every few miles you will pass a cheer station that is AMAZING. The kids form local schools are competing for money and the winner of the best cheer station gets the prize. Every runner can vote for the winner at the end of the race so be sure to remember the number of your favorite .

    Once you pass the half way point the course looks a little better. You pass Holiday Lane and so many great volunteers. The curse ends in the marina and they give out lots of goodies.

    They do have a nice shirt and medal. The race is in Oxnard so they offer packet pick up in Santa Monica which was very nice.

    This is a great first timers course or to just go after a PR. No hills, wide streets and its very festive!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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  2. Santa to the Sea Half Marathon