Sunday's Sold-Out Santa Monica Classic to Benefit YMCA

By Lookout Staff

September 7, 2018 -- More than 6,000 runners will take part in Sunday's Santa Monica Classic to raise funds for the local and Los Angeles YMCAs.

The runners will take part in the 5K and 10K races and 200 children will participate in the Surfer Shuffle Kids Race, said the Conqur Endurance Group, a subsidiary of McCourt Global organizing the race.

“With the return of the sold-out Santa Monica Classic, we are thrilled to kick-off another season with an enthusiastic group of dedicated runners filled with determination and drive,” said Tracey Russell, CEO of Conqur Endurance Group.

“With the continued success of the two triple-play running event series, the Conqur LA Challenge and the Triple 5K Tour of LA, we continue to see a significant increase in runner participation."

The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at Pico Boulevard and Barnard Way and winds its way north on Main Street west to Ocean Avenue, then east on San Vicente, before turning back south at 11th street towards the finish line at Ocean and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Younger runners in upcoming races will take part in the High School Challenge, Surfer Shuffle Kids Race and through Conqur's partnership with Students Run LA, Russell said.

Sunday's race marks the start of the Los Angeles running season, which culminates with Skechers Performance Marathon’s Stadium to the Sea race in the spring.

Athletes can earn additional challenge medals by running three of Conqur’s races -- in Santa Monica, Pasadena/Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium/Elysian Park and the Stadium to the Sea course.

The Santa Monica Classic is the first qualifying event for both the Conqur LA Challenge and the Triple 5K tour of LA.