FAQs
event title
Santa Monica Classic
Los Angeles, CA, CA 92001 United States
2024 Event Updates
We're excited to share enhancements to the Santa Monica Classic designed to elevate the experience for both participants and spectators!
- All new Start Line conveniently located near the familiar Finish Line on Ocean Avenue
- Updated courses with more distance along Ocean Avenue
- New Finish Festival experience on the 3rd Street Promenade
- Convenient t-shirt pickup with your bib
- Updated Start Times (10K at 7:30am and 5K at 9:00am) allowing those going for both the Triple 5K Tour of LA and Conquer LA Challenge Medals to participate in both distances
- The 2024 Santa Monica Classic is proud to announce it will be a RRCA Championship Event.
- In 2023 the Start Line was on Barnard Avenue, about a mile from the finish line. In 2024, the Start Line will be within a block of the Finish Line making for a more convenient experience
- In 2023 the Finish Festival was on the Santa Monica Pier. In 2024 the Finish Festival will be on the 3rd Street Promenade, just 1 block from the finish line.
- In 2023 you couldn't pick up your participant t-shirt with your bib and had to go to the Finish Festival to get your t-shirt. In 2024, you will receive your participant t-shirt at bib pickup
- In 2023 you could not participate in both distances in person if you were going for the Challenge Medals. In 2024, if you want to participate in both the 5K and 10K in person, you can!
- The 5K and 10K courses are updated but similar roads. Check out the course here
Event
The 2024 event is: September 8, 2024
The 2025 event is: September 7, 2025
5K, 10K, and Kids Run
You can view the Santa Monica Classic courses here. In 2024 we changed the location of the Start Line. The 2025 courses are expected to be the same or similar to the planned 2024 event (with the start and finish lines on Ocean Avenue). Check back for updates closer to the 2025 event.
The 2024 Santa Monica Classic has new start times of:
- 10K start at 7:30am
- 5K start at 9:00am
- Kids Run start at 10:15am
All times subject to change.
All new in 2024, the Santa Monica Classic 5K & 10K Start Line is now on Ocean Avenue near Broadway.
The Start Line of the Kids Run will also be on Ocean Avenue as it has been in years past. Exact address to be announced at a later date.
On Ocean Avenue across from the Shore Hotel and near the top of the Santa Monica Pier.
The time limit for the 10K is 2 hours from when the last person crosses the Start Line. The time limit for the 5K is 1 hour 15 minutes from when the last person crosses the Start Line.
No, there is no Gear Check at the Santa Monica Classic
Yes! Friends and family are encouraged to spectate.
No, there is no hospitality for this race.
The Conquer LA Challenge
The Triple 5K Tour of LA challenge medal
- Yes, we have Age Group Awards for the top three women and men in the following categories: Age Group participants will compete in the following male and female age divisions:
15 & under, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over - We also offer top three in non-binary
Click here for all race results [link to results page]
Stay tuned for updated parking information coming soon.
Yes, the Finish Festival in 2024 will be on the 3rd Street Promenade between Broadway and Santa Monica Bvld.
REGISTRATION
You can register here.
- We have general registration for all distances
- We have Team TMF entry for the 5K and 10K distances. This means your entry is free with a commitment to fundraising for the McCourt Foundation.
- September 6 or at sellout, whichever comes first. If the race does not sellout there will be registration available race weekend while supplies last.
- All distances sold out in 2023.
All ages are welcome. Participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to pick up the participant’s race bib and sign the Event waiver.
All new in 2024, you can complete both the Santa Monica Classic 5K and 10K at the race! If you want to earn both Triple 5K Tour of LA and Conquer LA Challenge, you will need to register and participate for both the 5K and 10K distances.
No, we do not offer refunds, deferrals, or transfer of registrations.
Yes. The McCourt Foundation and GovX are proud to offer exclusive discounts for current and former military, first responders and law enforcement for the Santa Monica Classic 5K & 10K. To redeem your discount, please visit GovX by clicking here. Discount available while supplies last.
BIB PICK UP
- Saturday, September 7, 2024: 10am - 4pm at 3rd Street Promenade & Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
- Sunday, September 8, 2024 (race morning) starting at 5:30am at 3rd Street Promenade & Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
- Saturday, September 7, 2024: 10am - 4pm at 3rd Street Promenade & Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
- Sunday, September 8, 2024 (race morning) starting at 5:30am at 3rd Street Promenade & Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Bib numbers will be assigned dynamically when you pick up your bib at Bib Pick Up. We do not pre-set bib numbers.
No, all participants must pick up their own bibs.
No, we do not mail bibs.
All new in 2024, participants can pick up their participant t-shirt at bib pick up!
COURSE
- Yes.
- 5K course has a water station near the Mile 2 marker
- 10K course has a water station near Mile 2, Mile 3, and Mile 5
Water only on course
There are public restrooms available in Palisades Park along Ocean Ave.
There is medical at the start line and finish line.
No, we do not have pace teams at the Santa Monica Classic
TEAM TMF
TMF stands for “The McCourt Foundation.” Team TMF is The McCourt Foundation’s charity team – by running with us, you commit to raising money to support our mission of striving to cure Neurological diseases while empowering communities to build a healthier world.
No, signing up for Team TMF means you are fundraising for The McCourt Foundation and we do not have any other charity partners at this time.
The Santa Monica Classic 5K & 10K have a $150 fundraising commitment.
No – your entry is included with your fundraising commitment as long as your commitment is met by the deadline.
Team perks vary per event. Click here to see all the perks and incentives for this event.
You can register and join Team TMF by clicking here
No, we do not offer refunds, deferrals, or transfer of registrations.
CHALLENGE MEDALS
Challenge Medals are additional medals, beyond event finisher medals, earned for participating in specific combinations of races in specific orders.
At The McCourt Foundation have three Challenge Medals:
Conquer LA:
Santa Monica Classic 10K – September 7, 2025
Rose Bowl Half Marathon - January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS - March 15, 2026
Triple 5K Tour of LA:
Santa Monica Classic 5K – September 7, 2025
Rose Bowl 5K - January 18, 2026
LA 5K - March 14, 2026
LA Double Play:
LA 5K - March 14, 2026
Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS - March 15, 2026
We have three Challenge Medals:
Conquer LA:
Santa Monica Classic 10K – September 7, 2025
Rose Bowl Half Marathon - January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS - March 15, 2026
Triple 5K Tour of LA:
Santa Monica Classic 5K – September 7, 2025
Rose Bowl 5K - January 18, 2026
LA 5K - March 14, 2026
LA Double Play:
LA 5K - March 14, 2026
Los Angeles Marathon presented by ASICS - March 15, 2026
You will pick up the Conquer LA challenge medal in the secure zone after you finish the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon.
You will pick up your Triple 5K Tour of LA challenge medal in the secure zone after you finish the 2026 LA Big 5K.
You will pick up the LA Double Play challenge medal in the secure zone after you finish the 2026 Los Angeles Marathon.
Be sure to register with the same name, email address, and birthdate for all medals. You can check your registration status for any event by logging into your Haku account at myevents.active.com. If you see all the events listed there you’re all set, if you are missing an event and believe you are registered for the missing event please email us at Solutions@mccourtfoundation.org.
- You can earn both challenge medals with two important call outs.
- All new in 2024 you can and must complete both the Santa Monica Classic 5K and 10K in person, at the race. You will need to buy bibs for both distances AND participate in both distances.
- You cannot complete both the Rose Bowl 5K and Half Marathon at the race. You will need to purchase both bibs and only participate in the Half Marathon distance. You will then complete the 5K at your own time. It is NOT virtual participation and we will not mail you your finisher medal or record a 5K finish time. You will need to pick up your bib at bib pick up and pick up your finisher medal at the race.
RACE RULES
All ages are welcome. Participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to pick up the participant’s race bib and sign the Event waiver.
Yes!
Yes!
No skates or bikes are allowed on the course.
Strollers are allowed but must start in the back of the race and must watch out for other participants.
No, dogs are not permitted in the Santa Monica Classic. Dogs are allowed to join their paw-rents to spectate.
While Costumes are allowed uniforms, costumes or outfits covering the face, or any non-formfitting bulky outfit extending beyond the perimeter of the body, are not permitted.
Click here to read the Santa Monica Classic rules. These rules were updated on January 22, 2024.
SMC Kids Run FAQ
It is recommended for kids ages 3 – 8
It is approximately 1/3 of a mile
- It will start near the Santa Monica Classic Finish line on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.
At the main Santa Monica Classic Finish Line on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica
The Kids Run starts at 10:15am. Kids should start lining up at 10am.
Children will be sent out in waves by age group - oldest in front, youngest in back – every 5 minutes. By sending the kids in groups by age, we make it a more safe and fun experience.
Parents are encouraged to run with children 6 and under. Wave 1 is for children 7-8 years old. Wave 2 is for children 5-6 years old. Wave 3 is for children 4 and under.
Yes, they are welcome to run in the same wave together - it's up to you as the parent to decide which is the more appropriate wave. Children with less running experience will likely feel more comfortable with a younger age group that is a bit slower.
Each child will be given a participant race bib that must be pinned to the front of their clothing. There will be a matching “parent bib” for one parent to either wear or hold onto if they are on the course and when they leave the finish area with their child.
We love when parents run with their kids and are welcome to run in any of the waves. We recommend a parent or guardian run with children 5 years and under. Please wear your “Parent Bib” when on the course.
If your child is in Wave 1 (7-8 years old) and is comfortable running without you, you can meet them at the finish line. Once your child has crossed the finish line they will be directed into the Kids Reunion Corral next to the finish line. This is where spectating parents may reunite with their children.
Once your child has crossed the finish line they will be directed into the Kids Reunion Corral next to the finish line. This is where spectating parents may reunite with their children.
You can pick up Kids Run bibs on September 7 or September 8. All bib pick up information will be confirmed closer to the race.
Sometimes kids and parents get separated. Take time before the Kids Run to discuss your plan – will you run with your child or meet them at the reunion area near the finish line? Write your cell number on the back of your child's bib. If you need help finding each other, come to the Kids Reunion area or locate a staff person.