More than 8,000 runners, walkers and families dressed as Santa Claus turned the streets in Pacific Beach into a sea of red on Dec. 13, with one of the largest holiday fun runs in the United States. 

The event combines fitness and competition with seasonal fanfare, attracting runners and walkers of all abilities with one important thing in common – their love for Santa

  • A tall Christmas tree on the beach.
    Santa Run participants pose with the Christmas tree on Crystal Pier after the race. (Photo by Thomas Melville/Beach & Bay Press)
  • Encouragement for runners as the Santa Run begins on Dec. 13. (Photo by Thomas Melville/Beach & Bay Press)
  • Santas run west down Garnet Avenue at about the halfway mark. (Photo by Thomas Melville/Beach & Bay Press)
  • The Santa run turns a corner in Pacific Beach with carolers singing along the route.
    Runners, serenaded by carolers, head north up Cass Street during the Santa Run. (Photo by Thomas Melville/Beach & Bay Press)
  • A throng of people dressed as Santa on the street with a woman extending her arm to wave at them from above. She's dressed up too.
    Race announcer Andrea Kooiman high fives a runner as the Santa Run begins on Dec. 13. (Photo by Thomas Melville/Beach & Bay Press)
  • Bars and restaurants in PB were packed post-race
    Post-race Santas filled the bars (like the 710 Beach Club, above), and restaurants in Pacific Beach on Saturday, Dec. 13. (Photo by Thomas Melville/Beach & Bay Press)

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