More than 7,000 runners are registered for 19th annual road race
Santa Monica, CA – September 6, 2024 – Due to unusually warm weather forecasted for this weekend and an excessive heat advisory in place for Los Angeles County, the Santa Monica Classic has made changes to ensure the safety of participants, volunteers and staff.
In consultation with city officials, race organizers have decided to shorten the 10K race to a 5K. To further help alleviate the impact of heat, the event will now feature an earlier start time of 7:00 AM on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
All participants, regardless of their originally registered distance, are invited to start at 7:00 AM, with a second start available at 7:30 AM. The start line will remain open until 8:30 AM, which is 30 minutes earlier than previously planned. In response to the heat advisory, the event will offer additional support for participants, including:
• 1 misting station on the course
• Iced towels at the finish line
• 4 water stations along the course
“We ask all participants to recalibrate their expectations for the race due to the weather conditions,” said Stacy Ferraro, Senior Director of Operations, understanding that the change may be disappointing for 10K participants. “This will be a day to enjoy the coastal run, not to aim for personal bests.”
For runners who have specifically trained for the 10K and can maintain a pace of 15 minutes per mile or faster, an unofficial 10K option is available. These runners can complete two loops of the 5K course but must pick up their bib on Saturday, September 7, and start at 7:00 AM.
All registered participants are encouraged to pick up their race bib and t-shirt on Saturday, at the 3rd Street Promenade between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. No further action is required from participants to confirm their start time or distance. Timing will begin when runners cross the start line and end when they cross the finish line.
For more detailed information, participants can visit the event’s website and follow @mccourtfoundation on social media for updates throughout the weekend.
ABOUT SANTA MONICA CLASSIC
The 19th annual Santa Monica Classic presented by ASICS is operated by The McCourt Foundation (TMF). Established in 1992, TMF empowers communities to build a healthier world through research, education, and events. TMF’s mission is to cure neurological diseases while empowering communities to build a healthier world. TMF makes a difference by donating to neurology research, hosting educational forums, and using our events such as the Los Angeles Marathon, Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K, Santa Monica Classic, Boston Waterfront 5K, and Tour de South Shore, as platforms to raise funds for over 95 nonprofit charity partners. Since its inception, TMF has donated more than $6.3 million to neurology research and generated more than $72M for our over nonprofit charity partners. Further information about the Santa Monica Classic presented by ASICS can be found online at santamonicaclassic.com.
