Nike extends race sponsorship; Earth Day beach clean-up draws crowd
Santa Monica, Calif. --New Adventures of Old Christine star Julia Louis-Dreyfus kicked off and competed in the fourth annual Santa Monica Classic, now managed by the Los Angeles Marathon Group. The competition combined running and environmental awareness, with 5K and 10K races today that started at the beach and finished at the Santa Monica Pier. The event's net proceeds will benefit Heal the Bay; past races have raised $30,000 for the Santa Monica-based non-profit. In addition, race organizers joined Nike and Heal the Bay in sponsoring an Earth Day Beach Clean-Up on April 25th that drew a large crowd.
"Racers enjoyed a great run through the heart of Santa Monica and the opportunity to help keep our coastal waters safe and clean," said Race Director Peter Abraham. "We're proud to partner with Heal the Bay for our Beach Clean-Up and the Fourth Annual Santa Monica Classic."
New this year is a Youth 5K, featuring a separate start for runners under 21. The winning high school boys' and girls' teams will receive Nike jackets and all participants will enjoy a post-race Expo held on the Santa Monica Pier. All race participants will receive Nike Dri-FIT running T-shirts.
Race sponsors include Nike, Whole Foods Market, Redspin Network Security, KCBS, KCAL, Delfina Hotel and Viceroy Hotel. Beneficiary Heal the Bay (www.healthebay.org) is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Santa Monica Bay and Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean for people and marine life. The Santa Monica Classic (www.santamonicaclassic.com) is a member of the Los Angeles Marathon family of events (www.lamarathon.com).
Santa Monica Classic 10k champions Brian Livingston and Cambria D'Amico
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