Cyr and Baker Claim Victories at Record-Breaking Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA

November 11, 2025

Miramontes and Donovan win UCLA Health 5K; fifth edition draws record sell-out with 7,500 entrants; over $60,000 expected to be raised for Santa Barbara Running Association and local youth organizations

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (November 11, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — Under cool, coastal conditions perfect for a record-setting fifth edition, more than 7,000 entrants took to the streets of the American Riviera for the 5th Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA and the UCLA Health 5K on Sunday, November 9.

Alex Cyr, 30, of Toronto (CAN), was the first to cross the finish line, setting an event record of 1:06:35 and surpassing Phillip Reid’s previous mark of 1:06:54 from 2022. Eleanor Baker, 33, of Ventura, was the top woman, finishing in 1:19:49. Their performances capped off a weekend of celebration and movement throughout downtown Santa Barbara.

The UCLA Health 5K was won by a pair of teenagers: Nikolas Miramontes, 19, of Goleta, finished in 16:39, and Claire Donovan, 13, of Cherry Hills Village (CO), completed the race in 18:18.

The final event of the morning saw hundreds of kids enjoy the HOKA Kids Fun Run presented by Cowabunga Daily. Always a race weekend highlight, it featured Santa Barbara’s Sunny mascot for the first time, bringing smiles to kids and adults alike.

All runners, including the Kids Run, received a unique medal designed by local, award winning illustrator, Daniel Sulzberg, inspired by the Santa Barbara sun.

“This year’s event was a true celebration of movement and community,” said Event Director David Monico. “From our local runners to those visiting Santa Barbara for the first time from a dozen countries and 45 states, it was an incredible morning celebrating the best of our community.”

Race weekend kicked off Friday with the Palm Park Festival, presented by the Santa Barbara Independent, featuring live music, local vendors, and wellness activities, including a HOKA shakeout run and yoga in the park at the Carousel House near Chase Palm Park.

On race day, Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone transformed into a vibrant finish line festival, welcoming runners, families, and spectators with live music and early-to-open bars and restaurants.

The 2025 event is expected to raise more than $60,000 for the Santa Barbara Running Association’s youth programs and other local organizations—an event record—continuing its commitment to giving back to the community. Since the event’s inception in 2021, almost $200,000 has been raised.

EVENT FAST FACTS

• Fifth Edition
• Central Coast’s largest running event with a sold-out, event record 7,000+ registrations
• Runners from 45 states & 12 countries
• Youngest entrant, 9 months (Kids race)
• Oldest entrant, 86-years-old (Half Marathon)
• Volunteer crew of more than 300 strong
• Two dozen blind runners as well as their guides from Blind Fitness & Eyeshine
• The Half Marathon is a Southern California USA Track & Field Grand Prix Event
• The Half Marathon is a Santa Barbara Running Association Grand Prix event
• The 5K is a Santa Barbara Running Association Junior Grand Prix event

For more information, visit https://santabarbarahalf.com and follow @santabarbarahalf & @runlocalevents on social media.

About Run Local®

Founded in 2012, Run Local’s mission is to inspire movement in your community™. The organization has produced events in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California, including the Oakland Marathon (March), San Jose Half & 8K (June), and the Santa Barbara Half presented by HOKA & 5K (November). Each of its events celebrates the local running community, artists, and the unique diversity of each region. For more information, visit runlocalevents.com and join us on social @runlocalevents.