Happy New Year! We certainly hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. According to Forbes Health, the #1 New Year’s resolution people set is to improve their fitness. If that falls at the top of your list, then you might want to join the Ventura Seaside Marathon 2024 later this month.
What: Ventura Seaside Marathon 2024
Where: Emma Wood Group Campground (800 W Main St., Ventura)
When: Sunday, January 28th, 7 am
Admission: $55 to $120
Contact: Seaside Marathon (805) 258-3779 or via email
Ventura Seaside Marathon 2024
Fortunately, organizers of this popular running event wanted as many people to join as possible. So, whether you consider yourself a beginner or a well-seasoned athlete, they offer something for everyone. For example, not quite feeling up to the full 26.2 miles? Try the 13.1 mile half marathon. Or for the super newbies, how about a 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles)? They all take place on January 28th. Only the start times vary.
Race Course
All racers start off at the Emma Wood Group Campground. Full marathon racers start at 7 am, with half-marathoners beginning at 7:15 am. Runners in the 10K race start at 7:30 am, with the 5K racers setting off at 7:45 am. The 5K course takes racers onto the bike path to the 1.55 mile marker where they turn around and head back to where they started. For the 10K course, racers also go onto the bike path but continue on to the Hwy 1 bike path. At 3.1 mile marker, runners turn around and head back to where they started.
The half-marathon course takes runners along the same route as the 10K racers. However, they continue on the Hwy 1 bike path until they reach the 6.55 mile marker. At that point, they turn around and head back to the Emma Wood Group Campground start/finish line. Full marathoners run this course twice.
Registration
You may register online for whichever race you wish to join. Racers pay $55 for the 5K, $75 for the 10K, $110 for the half-marathon, and $140 for the full marathon. The Seaside Marathon qualifies you to run in the world-famous Boston Marathon in mid-April.
More Than Running
Fortunately, they offer more than running at this event. All participating runners will be treated to a plate of free street tacos and beer (for ages 21+) or root beer (under 21 and non-drinkers). If you wish to enjoy more tacos and beer, it costs $5 for a ticket. Anyone coming out to support the racers may enjoy tacos and beer as well for $5 per ticket.
In keeping with organizers’ quest to be more eco-friendly, no more disposable cups will be allowed at refueling stations. Either bring a reusable cup from home or feel free to purchase a reusable cup either when you pick up your packet or on race day. While the health department will not require runners and spectators to wear masks, you do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Wear one. Don’t wear one. Whatever you want is fine.
Parking
No parking inside the venue…not even for the athletes. However, you may park for free just outside the campground on Main St. If you feel OK to walk a little bit (approximately 3/4 mile), free parking will also be available at the business park next to Patagonia on the corner of Olive and Main. There’s also a free shuttle running from that same business park to the campground between 5:30 am and noon. Finally, a free shuttle also runs between the parking lot across from the Ventura County Fairgrounds (on Figueroa and Shoreline) over to the campground between 5:30 am and 2:00 pm. However, this shuttle is smaller than the one near Patagonia.
Dave & Pat Zumbrun, your Ventura County real estate specialists
