There are running events in Santa Barbara every month of the year.
There are dozens of running events every year in Santa Barbara, both big and small. Below is a listing of the most popular events throughout the calendar year.
Where available, the event name is linked to the official webpage with registration and race information.
A more complete calendar of local running events can be found HERE.
2015 RUNNING SCHEDULE:
JANUARY
New Years Day Resolution Day Run – Thursday, January 1
Don’t waste any time getting started with the first running event of 2015. A 5k and 10k race based at Leadbetter Beach Park can kick off the new year.
MARCH
Trail running at Elings Park.
Orchard to Ocean Run – Saturday, March 21
This year’s Orchard to Ocean Run in Carpinteria is the 23rd annual. The 10k run is a local grand prix race.
Mesa Trail Running Series – Wednesday, March 11 — Wednesday, April 22
The fall series at Elings Park begins on Wednesday, September 2 and runs each Wednesday through October 7. The 5k cross country race begins at 6:30 p.m.
APRIL
Are You Tough Enough? – Saturday, April 4
It’s a 65-mile ultra run on trails through the Santa Barbara front country. Runners can compete solo or in five-person relay teams.
Santa Barbara Chardonnay 10-Miler & 5K – Saturday, April 18
This event features a Santa Barbara waterfront course that starts and finishes at Leadbetter Beach Park. As the name suggests, the race’s staging area includes post-race wine-tasting activities.
Gaucho Gallop – Saturday, April 25
Held annually on All-Gaucho Reunion weekend, the Gaucho Gallop is a 5k fun run/walk that begins and ends at Harder Stadium on the UCSB campus. Benefits UCSB student scholarship fund.
MAY
Nite Moves – Wednesday, April 29 – Wednesday, August 26
Santa Barbara’s summertime run/swim community event, kicks off its 27th season on Wednesday, April 29, and hits its stride in May with four events. Nite Moves will gather at Leadbetter Beach Park every Wednesday throughout the summer until the season finale on August 26.
JUNE
State Street Mile
State Street Mile – Sunday, June 7
The State Street Mile shuts down Santa Barbara’s main drag for some fun competition with the mile distance. The events include something for everyone, including the YMCA Family Fun Mile, the unofficial Dog Mile World Championship, seven different Age Group Categories from 14 & under to 60+, and a Open & Master’s Elite Division that offers prize money.
JULY
Semana Nautica 15k – Saturday, July 4
The Semana Nautica 4th of July 15k is one of the oldest running races on California’s Central Coast. The 2015 version will be the 61st year. The mostly flat course starts and finishes at San Marcos High School the morning of the 4th of July holiday.
Westmonster 5k – Friday, July 17
The Westmonster is hosted at Westmont College and serves as a fundraiser and community-outreach opportunity for the school. The 6th annual race begins in the evening at 6:15 p.m.
AUGUST
Pier to Peak features a grueling climb up Gibraltar Road.
Pier to Peak Half-Marathon – Sunday, August 30
Dubbed as one of the most difficult half-marathons because of the 4,000 feet of elevation gain, this race begins at Stearns Wharf at the Santa Barbara waterfront and ends on the top of Gibraltar Peak high above the city.
SEPTEMBER
Mesa Trail Running Series – Wednesday, Sept. 2 — Wednesday, October 7
The fall series at Elings Park begins on Wednesday, September 2 and runs each Wednesday through October 7. The 5k cross country race begins at 6:30 p.m.
OCTOBER
Carpinteria Kiwanis Big Avocado Run – Sunday, October 4
It’s the 38th annual Avocado Run, held on the same weekend as Carpinteria’s famous avocado festival. The cross-country style race has a 5k distance and traverses the Carpinteria bluffs.
NOVEMBER
Santa Barbara Veteran’s Day Marathon & Half – Saturday, November 7
The single largest running event of the year, the Santa Barbara marathon attracts thousands and is connected to Veterans Day Weekend.
UCSB Turkey Trot – Saturday, November 21
In its 37th year, the Turkey Trot is a long-running Gaucho tradition of helping raise money for the AS Foodbank during the holiday season. There are 10k and 5k distances on offer at UCSB’s lagoon course.
Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler – Thursday, November 26
A flat and fast four-mile run that begins and ends at Magnolia Shopping Center. Registration is race-day only and begins at 7:30 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m. every Thanksgiving morning.
DECEMBER
Elings Terrain Festival – Saturday, December 5
It’s an end-of-the-season fundraiser for local high school cross country programs featuring a 5k race on the all-terrain course at Elings Park. The run is followed by a catered barbecue.
