HalfRuns
Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K

Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K

Santa to the Sea offers a flat, fast course and festive holiday atmosphere while supporting local children.

Race Date

Dec 12, 2026

Location

Oxnard, CA

Runner Favorite80

Quick facts

Date
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Location
Oxnard, California
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 6.55 Miles, 3.1 Miles, 1K, 3m
Course
Point to Point
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Not listed
Finishers on record
15,306

Highlights

Good For

PR FriendlyBeginner FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Local CommunityParty FinishSpectator SupportWell OrganizedGreat Post Race

Course

Fast Flat

The Experience

The Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, first run in 2003, has grown into a beloved community event, now in its 16th edition. It begins at a giant Santa statue along Highway 101, winding through Oxnard's strawberry fields before reaching historic downtown and concluding at Marine Emporium Landing in Channel Islands Harbor.

This race is renowned for its flat and fast course, with most reviews confirming it's nearly 100% flat, save for a single overpass, making it a prime spot for personal bests. The event is a significant toy drive for underprivileged children in Ventura County and raises scholarship money for local students, adding a layer of purpose to the festive holiday atmosphere.

Runners can expect strong community support, with spectators lining the course, especially as it passes through decorated neighborhoods. The finish line festival boasts a full day of activities, including a kids' play area, Santa's Village, costume contests, food, and live entertainment, making it a rewarding experience for participants and their families.

Race-provided description

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 Carpinteria to Oxnard, has grown into a robust running event, toy drive, and community fundraiser. Santa to the Sea includes a half marathon, a Quarter Marathon plus a 5K run and 1K kids fun run. The Santa to the Sea Scholarship Fund partners with Gene Haas and Oxnard College Foundation to award $500 scholarships to local high school students and adults continuing their education at Oxnard College.  Santa to the Sea offers families not only a weekend of fun, but also an opportunity to give back to those in need, just in time for the holiday season. The nonprofit event helps collect toys for underprivileged children throughout Ventura County while raising scholarship money for students at Oxnard College. The Half Marathon gets underway at the giant Santa located along the Interstate Highway 101 (2801 Ventura Boulevard) and continues through the strawberry fields of Oxnard before heading to historic downtown Oxnard (where the Quarter Marathon starts) and ending at Marine Emporium Landing (where the 5k and kids 1k start and finish) in picturesque Channel Islands Harbor. There, visitors can enjoy the Finish Line Festival filled with a full day of activities including kids play area, a Santa’s Village, costume contests, food booths and live entertainment. The Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and 5k, is based in the coastal com­mu­nity of Oxnard, CA., and just 40 min­utes north of Los Angeles. Combine your athletic pursuits with a seaside weekend getaway during the annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, 1/4 marathon, 5K run and 1k kids fun run taking place the second Sunday every December.

Logistics

Race Day

Saturday, December 12, 2026

Start Time

7:30 AM

Giveaway

Free Event Moisture Wicking T Shirt

Start Location

3600 Cabezone Cir., Oxnard, CA, 93035

Directions

Course Info

Course Type

Point to Point

Terrain

road

Scenery

Rural, Urban

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Also Offers

6.55 Miles3.1 Miles1K3m

Quality Score

Runner Favorite80
Methodology
Heritage20/20

16 years running

Size14/15

~775 finishers a year

Momentum5/5

growing or steady

Loyalty20/20

30% returning runners

Course & details8/15

5 timing sources · 8 photos

National draw0/10

runners from 1 state

Front-pack speed5/5

winner 1:10:51

Weather8/10

typical high 64°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

47°

Afternoon (High)

64°

Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish

0.1"

Precipitation

12 mph

Wind

65%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 15,306 finishers actually crossed the line across 16 years.

Most recent

2025

Total finishers

15,306

Median time

2:14:15

Latest turnout

932

States

42

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:00p50 median ≈ 2:104:25

Turnout by year

20162025

'16'18'19'21'22'23'24'25
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K?

The Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K is held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM.

Where does the Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K take place?

It takes place in Oxnard, California.

What distances does the Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 6.55 Miles, 3.1 Miles, 1K, 3m.

Is the Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K course flat and good for a PR?

The Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K is a ultra-flat, point to point course.

How many people run the Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K?

HalfRuns has finish records for 15,306 runners who have completed the Santa To The Sea 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon & 5K.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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