The Encinitas Kook Run is back this weekend with costumes, races and $3,000 in cash prizes.
The popular and quirky race will take place at 7 a.m. Sunday with both a fun run and a professional race with proceeds benefiting Cardiff 101 Mainstreet and the Ecke YMCA of Encinitas. Separately, the Junior Kook Run will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday for runners between the ages of 3 and 12.
“Every year, we base the race theme around costumes or art pieces that have been featured on the Kook statue,” Jeff Stoner, managing partner, Race San Diego, said. “This year, we are Releasing the Kraken, and bringing everyone’s favorite sea monster to the forefront. I love seeing the imagination of the runners. There have been some great costumes over the years, and I am never disappointed.”
The Costume Contest awards the top three in each of the following categories: “Football Fan,” “Group Costume,” and “Individual Kook.”
One of the “coolest” aspects of the race is its post-run festival, including a beer garden – featuring Bay City, Lost Abbey, and Ballast Point – and proceeds benefiting The Right Hand Angels. Participants can also expect live music, featuring Paging the 90s, immediately following the race festivities.
“It truly is about supporting the community, and giving back,” Stoner said. Both Jim O’Hara [co-worker] and I have been around the running and endurance community for over 20 years, and the community has given us a lot of opportunities along the way, so working with our charity partners and seeing what this does for them and their own communities means a lot.”
Race Day and Costume Contest registration opens at 6:00 a.m. Welcome and introductions take place at 7:00 a.m. The Elite/10K race start is 7:20 a.m., while the 5K and Costume Division race starts at 7:55 a.m. The awards ceremony is at 9:15 a.m.
Advance packet and T-shirt pick-up will be held at the Ecke YMCA (200 Saxony Road in Encinitas) on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and at Road Runner Sports (Solana Beach location on the Coast Hwy 101) on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information or to register, go to www.thekookrun.com.
