Official news from the Santa Monica Classic

Good luck tomorrow!

2009-05-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Get a good night's sleep tonight and relax before tomorrow's race and expo. It will be a great day! Click here for directions and parking information. Make sure to check out Coach Eric Barron’s tips for race day.

Be sure to review your final instructions to ensure that your Santa Monica Classic goes as smoothly as possible.

Rod Dixon to race the Santa Monica Classic

2009-04-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard of Rod Dixon—he won the bronze medal in the 1500 at the Munich Olympics, and also won the 1983 New York Marathon in one of the most exciting finishes ever. Rod is still in great shape, and he's dusting off his racing flats to attempt a masters world record in the 5K at our race. How cool is that. Please take time before the start to say hi to Rod—he’s an inspiration to all of us.

Wanna know what’s in the SM Classic winner’s bags?

2009-04-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

The male and female winners of the SM Classic Youth 5K, Over-21 5K and 10K will get some sweet gift bags. We’ll also hand these to the winning boys and girls high school teams. This is what EACH winner’s bag will contain:

• One-of-a-kind trophy handmade from recycled surfboard resin
• Pair of Dodger tickets
• Whole Foods gift card
• Heal the Bay swag
• Nike bag

Ride your bike to the race!

2009-04-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

We’ll have a free bike valet area at the start, in partnership with the LA Bicycle Coalition. You can check your bike, run the race, visit the Expo and then return to get your bike and ride home. How low-carbon is that?

Nike Olympians at the Santa Monica Classic

2009-04-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

You’ll be excited to know that Nick Rogers (Sydney 2000) and April Holmes (Paralympian and world record holder) will be present at both packet pick-up and on race day to mentor our younger runners. We’re excited to have them!

Wanna see what your shirt looks like?

2009-04-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

Men's Shirt

Women's Shirt

Close-up

Packet Pickup Information

2009-04-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, May 2 is packet pickup for Sunday's Santa Monica Classic. Join us from 10am-3pm at Sport Chalet in West LA to pick up your bib, chip and the chance to win a Nike+ prize package! That's right, the first 2,000 people who pick up their packet for the race will receive a Sport Chalet gift card worth between $5-$100 to pick up all your race day needs. Card is only valid May 2 & 3 only in the West LA location. Festivities will also include massages, iPod engraving, footwear trials and more. See you there!

Final Instructions now posted!

2009-04-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Make sure to review your final instructions for race day. This is important info that will help your day go as smoothly as possible: Where to park, how to pick up your Nike shirt, etc. Click here for final instructions

Great turnout for the beach clean-up!

2009-04-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Nike, SMC and Heal the Bay beach clean-up this past Saturday. It was a huge success with almost 100 volunteers, lots of trash collected and GREAT prizes raffled off. Lucky winners won Dodger tickets, Whole Foods gift card, JetBlue vouchers and much more! Stay tuned to santamonicaclassic.com this week for important information about this weekend's race!

Check out our latest training videos here!

2009-04-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

Eric Barron of Track Club LA shares valuable insight into how to prepare for your first 10K. A very important part of training for a 5K/10K is STRETCHING. Many of us either forget or don't have time, but Eric shows us some simple and time efficient stretches that are good for your health and may even improve your running!

Nike training runs tonight and tomorrow night!

2009-04-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Finding it hard to motivate to train? Want to meet some fellow runners? Or are you simply looking for something to do tonight? Doesn't matter what the reason, come join us for the Nike training runs to prepare for the Santa Monica Classic! Tonight we meet at the Nike Store at the Grove at 6:30pm. Tomorrow night we congregate at Niketown LA in Beverly Hills at 6:30. Hope to see you there!

Last Day to sign-up at the lowest rate AND take advantage of FastReg!

2009-04-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

Make sure you, your friends and family all sign up today for the Santa Monica Class as the rate increases by $5 tomorrow! Today is also the last day to take advantage of FastReg which takes the hassles out of race day with reserved front-row parking AND we send your number and shirt to you one week before the event so you can skip packet pick-up and instead rest up for the big day!

New Training Videos

2009-04-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

New training videos posted with coach Eric Barron of Track Club LA.

Beach Clean-Up Event: April 25th!

2009-04-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sign up now and celebrate Earth Month with Nike, Heal the Bay and the Santa Monica Classic at our very own beach clean-up on Saturday, April 25th.

2009 TV Spot up

2009-04-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our TV spot is now posted on the video page.

Share a Ride!

2009-04-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

We’re again partnering with Spaceshare to offer a custom Santa Monica Classic ridesharing program. You can meet up with drivers, or riders, in your neighborhood and carpool to the event or packet pick-up.

Join in on April training!

2009-04-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Nike training runs are underway! Come on out and enjoy 3 and 5-mile group training runs three days per week.

Check out details on our training page

New this year: Under 21 division added!

2009-03-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

(updated: March 26, 2009)
The Santa Monica Classic 5K will now have separate Under 21 and Over 21 divisions. Both will start in separate start chutes at 7:30 am.
The under 21 5K division will feature a VIP after party on the pier.
Nike Dri-Fit shirts for every runner
VIP after-party on the Santa Monica Pier just for 5K runners
High school division! With sweet Nike jackets for the winning boys and girls teams
Our own Facebook page

The all ages 10K, as before, will start at 8:00 am.

We look forward to seeing all of you on the starting line.

Peter Abraham
Founder, Santa Monica Classic