> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Santa Monica Classic draws more than 7,600 for 20th running, sets charity records - URL: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-classic-draws-more-than-7-600-for-20th-running-sets-charity-records/ - Published: 2026-09-25T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-25T16:00:00.000Z - Author: Maaz Alin - Tags: Non Profit, Santa Monica More than 7,600 participants from around the country lined up along the Pacific coastline Sept. 13 for the 20th running of the Santa Monica Classic, a sold-out 10K and 5K that also set records for its charity running team. Registrations included 5,300 in the 10K and 2,100 in the 5K, along with just over 270 children in the race's Kids Run, according to race spokesperson Meg Treat. The event was produced by The McCourt Foundation. The event's charity team had its biggest showing yet. More than 270 runners competed as members of Team TMF, the foundation's official charity running team, and together raised more than $54,000 for [neurological disease](https://www.smdp.com/presley-gerber-malibu-raised-model-and-son-of-cindy-crawford-dies-at-27/) research. Both the team's size and its fundraising total were records for the race. "As we kick off the 2026-2027 event season, Team TMF is already breaking records," said Murphy Reinschreiber, chief operating officer of The McCourt Foundation. "Hearing the stories from our charity runners as to why they are running makes hosting these events even more powerful, and their efforts to keep raising the bar speak volumes about their passion." Treat said the charity runners, dressed in "blue Team TMF singlets," were among the highlights for spectators. She described them as athletes "who chose to make their miles mean more." Team members received a guaranteed entry, VIP perks and a personal fundraising page. The race sold out with more than a month remaining before race day, Treat said. "Selling out this year was significant because it happened faster than ever," she said. "While we've reached capacity in the past, demand for this year's race was up 20% year-over-year." She added: "That particularly early sellout indicates to us that our event is a top choice for participants." At the front of the field, Southern California runners took first place in every 10K division. Fountain Valley's Esteban Prado won the men's race and finished first overall, covering the 6.2 miles in 30:25\. Jennifer Cardenas Sandoval of Fontana won the women's 10K in 35:57, and Dae Seo of South Pasadena won the nonbinary division in 41:53. "There was a full SoCal sweep for first place in the 10K divisions, with exceptional local competitors clocking the fastest times over the 6.2 miles," Treat said. In the 5K, Gabriel Planty won the men's division in 15:26 and Maggie Shearer won the women's division in 18:26\. Debbie Arevalo took first in the nonbinary division, finishing the 3.1-mile course in 30:20. "All three of our courses feature beach views on Ocean Avenue," Treat said. The 10K began at Ocean Avenue and Broadway and headed south onto Main Street. It passed Tongva Park and City Hall before looping back to join the 5K course, which ran north on Ocean Avenue and turned onto San Vicente. Both races finished at Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. Children ran a half-kilometer route on Ocean Avenue. "Santa Monica PD were great partners in securing our course, and all went as planned!" Treat said. Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis served as the official starter of the 10K and welcomed participants before the race. She also held the finish tape as the top 10K runners crossed the line. "Our positive relationship with the city was showcased this year by Mayor Torosis' attendance," Treat said. The McCourt Foundation began producing the race after the 2019 event. Asked what was new this year, Treat said, "This year's event remained consistent with previous years." The Santa Monica Classic is the first of three races in the Conquer LA Challenge. The challenge continues with the [Rose Bowl Half Marathon](https://www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/rose-bowl-half-5k/?ref=smdp.com) and 5K in January and concludes with the [ASICS Los Angeles Marathon](https://www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/?ref=smdp.com) in March. Runners who complete all three receive a medal for each race and a Conquer LA Challenge medal. Established in 1992, The McCourt Foundation is a nonprofit whose mission is to cure neurological diseases while empowering communities to build a healthier world. It produces four annual running events, including the Boston Waterfront 5K, and uses them to raise money for more than 200 nonprofit charity partners. The foundation has donated more than $7.2 million to neurology research and generated more than $81 million through its charity program. "We're proud to create a memorable race day that showcases Santa Monica as a destination, while also spreading awareness of neurological diseases and helping find cures," Reinschreiber said.