Frias, TenKate Win Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA

November 8, 2024

Laureano, Bland UCLA Health 5K champions; fourth edition draws event record field of 6,500-plus; more than $50,000 raised for the Santa Barbara Running Association’s youth programs and other local organizations

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. November 8th /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – On a spectacular sunny Sunday morning, November 3, Chris Frias, 33, of Ventura and Melissa TenKate, 35, of Arroyo Grande won the fourth Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA, clocking 1 hour, 8 minutes, 33 seconds and 1:22:05, respectively. For Frias, third time’s the charm as he was race runner-up in 2021 and 2023. The two HOKA Aggie members averaged 5:13 and 6:15 per mile on the scenic 13.1 mile USATF certified course along the Santa Barbara waterfront and lower State Street corridor.

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse sent off the Half Marathon runners.

The UCLA Health 5K was won by Santa Barbarans Rey Laureano and repeat champion Mackenzie Bland in 16:01 and 20:28, respectively.

The HOKA Kids Fun Run and the Finish Line Festival in the Funk Zone capped the beautiful fall day.

The annual community event, under clear blue sky, cool race morning temperatures in the 50s & 60s, drew an event record field of more than 6,500, including 4,500 in the Half Marathon, 1,800 in the 5K and 300 in the Kids race. Complete race results at: santabarbarahalf.com/results/

“Our fourth edition truly lived up to the event’s theme Moving Together Brings Us Together,” said Race Director David Monico. “We are grateful and inspired by all the participants as well as thankful for the sponsors, volunteers, musicians, city agencies and community for helping produce our biggest and best event yet. In addition, we raised more than $50,000, another event record, for the Santa Barbara Running Association’s youth programs and other local organizations.”

The Palm Park Festival presented by the Santa Barbara Independent kicked off race weekend on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. Hosted at the Carousel House, registered entrants picked up their race day packets, and the community also enjoyed the weekend long free festivities, including live music and a kids zone.

FAST FACTS

• Fourth edition
• Central Coast’s largest running event
• Runners from 46 states & 13 countries
• More than $50,000 raised for SBRA’s youth programs and local organizations
• Youngest finisher, 10 months (Kids race)
• Oldest finisher, 82-years-old (Half Marathon)
• Nearly 50 visually impaired runners and their guides from United in Stride, Blind Fitness & Eyeshine participated
• Volunteer crew of more than 300 strong
• 60-plus porta potties
• The Half Marathon is a Santa Barbara Running Association Grand Prix event.
• The 5K is a SBRA Junior Grand Prix event.

For more event information, go to santabarbarahalf.com or follow the event on Instagram @santabarbarahalf.

About Run Local^®

Founded in 2012, Run Local’s mission is to inspire movement in your community^™. It has produced events in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California, including the Oakland Marathon (March), San Jose Half & 8K (June) and the Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA & 5K (November). Each of its events celebrate the local running community, artists and the unique diversity of each region.

For more information, visit runlocalevents.com and also join us on social @runlocalevents.

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