Running with the tide has never been so much fun.
At least, not since last year.
The 32nd annual Chuck’s Beach Fun Run started early Sunday.
No sleeping in on this Sunday!
Women's winner Leslie Roth with her husband, Brian, and their son, Indy. (Photo by Randy Weiss)
Registration at 7 a.m., run at 7:30, and with some of the best views in town.
The sandy 10k course is from Leadbetter to Hendry’s Beach and back.
The gratis sign-ups netted 225 participants. Mostly locals. All friendly.
Dogs, too, of all colors and sizes.
And several little tykes — stroller option for the littlest.
“We started actually 33 years ago and only missed one year (1985) due to insurance issues,” said Larry Stone, owner of Chuck’s of Hawaii Restaurants. “Some guys at the restaurant used to run a lot. We decided to all get together. Then we opened up registrations. It’s been fun hosting ever since.”
“And it’s another great day!” offered Brad Schuette, Chuck’s GM.
Just before 7:30, Steve Hyslop, another Chuck’s owner who is based at the waterfront eateries, uses his bullhorn to review a few, quick safety tips, then a 10-seconds warning.
And we were off …
Soon the jammed-packed crowd at the start ‘line in the sand’ quickly thinned until one could see a very long, skinny line stretched around the first point below Shoreline Park.
The Top 20 front-runners were local favorites. Only Ricky Ho lives outside of Santa Barbara/Goleta, but he’s just down the road in Carp.
For them, the turn came quickly.
Ho finished in first place with a time of 33 minutes, 31 seconds.
Leslie Roth was the first female finisher at 38:48.
Afterwards, a nice food spread and plenty of soft refreshments and prizes for nearly everyone.
All in all, a good time was had by all.
Local restauranteurs Randy Rowse (and city councilman), Larry Stone, Steve Hyslop, Brad Schuette hang out at the finish line at Leadbetter Beach.
