Santa Claus Run take-off freeze frame. (Randy Weiss Photos)
Sunday morning?s steady raindrops stopped nearly long enough for the inaugural Santa Claus 5K Race and Kids 1-Mile Fun Run — a benefit for the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with proceeds going to their ?Kidz for a Cure? and their fight against cancer.
5k winner Bobby Lozoya
Nearly 200 mostly local 5K runners — many wearing Santa outfits — braved less-than-ideal wet road conditions, twice looping the inside outskirts of La Cumbre Plaza to make a solid statement in the fight to help children with cancer.
Race Director Jose Gonzalez is pleased with the first time turnout ?.
?Despite the threat of continued rain, we still had people signing up on-line yesterday and even more registering here this morning,? he shared with Presidio Sports.
Bobby Lozoya, a 21 year-old UCSB computer science senior, led the entire race and cruised to the finish line at 16.53.
?It?s a great race for a wonderful cause,? he said afterwards.
Santa Barbara?s Jeannee Diaz, 50, was the first female finisher at 20.26.
And when the raindrops started at the launch of the 1-Mile Fun Run, it didn?t dampen the spirits of the 50 youngest runners — many sprinting full speed at the sound of ?GO!!?
Rob Regan, a 20-year Monte Vista Elementary School teacher and devoted father of three, was on the sidelines cheering on his young daughter and her friends ?
?They are so excited to be running today!? he exclaimed.
When they all crossed the finish line — it was clear that they were all winners.
And about those several Santa 5K runners, well, the only thing that would have been better with the weather was not sun, but snow!!
After all, like local legendary songwriter Barry DeVorzon sings ?
It?s Christmas, Once Again, in Santa Barbara.
Rob Regan, a teacher at?Monte Vista Elementary School, with his daughter and her friends.
