
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
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
Atmosphere
Course
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
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
Quality Score
Runner Favorite8016 years running
~775 finishers a year
growing or steady
30% returning runners
5 timing sources · 8 photos
runners from 1 state
winner 1:10:51
typical high 64°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (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
Turnout by year
2016–2025
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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