Santa Barbara Half Marathon Weekend Celebrates Community, Movement, and Milestones

November 7, 2025

Events include a Film Festival, live music and more throughout Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone; Race Day is Sunday, November 9; Participant Packet Pick-Up takes place at the Palm Park Festival on Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8; event benefits the Santa Barbara Running Association and various youth organizations

Santa Barbara, Calif. (November 6, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA and UCLA Health 5K returns for its 5th anniversary celebration of movement and community, welcoming thousands of runners from across the country to the scenic California coast. The event sold-out three weeks early with an event-record 7,000+ registered participants ages 0-90.

The weekend-long festival kicks off on Friday, November 7 with the Palm Park Festival presented by SB Independent as well as the Funk Zone Festival. The event runs through the weekend culminating with the Half Marathon, 5K, and HOKA Kids Fun Run presented by Cowabunga Daily on Sunday, November 9.

This year’s event continues its tradition of supporting the Santa Barbara Running Association and local youth organizations through donations and volunteer programs. Over $130,000 has been raised since 2021 and it expects to raise an event record $60,000+ in 2025.

Runners will experience the beauty of Santa Barbara’s waterfront, Funk Zone, and historic downtown with a variety of events, great for the whole family.

“Every year, this event grows not just in numbers but in heart. It’s more than a race, it’s a celebration of what makes Santa Barbara special: its people, its culture, and its commitment to the outdoors,” commented Event Director, David Monico. “We’re proud to welcome runners from all walks of life and around the world to experience this unforgettable weekend.”

Various road closures and temporary traffic patterns will impact downtown Santa Barbara on the morning of Sunday, November 9.

• Road Closures: https://santabarbarahalf.com/road-closures/
• Parking Info: https://santabarbarahalf.com/parking/
• For Non-Emergency Race Day Issues call (805) 225-7958

Funk Zone Festival Overview

• Friday, November 7: RunNation Film Festival at Rincon Brewery, 7:00PM (FREE)
• Friday & Saturday November 7-8: Various live music and events throughout the Funk Zone; inquire on event website and business pages.
• Sunday, November 9:
  • 8:00am-12:00pm – Finish Line Festival on Yanonali St. welcomes thousands of finisher’s with early business hours & specials from local establishments
  • Live music from The Last Decade
• For more information visit: https://santabarbarahalf.com/festival/

Palm Park Festival presented by SB Independent @ Carousel House

• Friday, November 7 Golden Hour:
  • 2:00am-6:00am – Participant Packet Pick Up, plus Drink Garden
  • 3:00am-6:00am – Live Music by the Hoodlum Friends
• Saturday, November 8 Saturday Shakeout:
  • 9:00am – HOKA Shakeout Run
  • 10:00am – HOKA Yoga at the Park

10:00am-2:00pm – Participant Packet Pick Up, plus Live Music by DJ Darla Bea and Anthony Ambriz and Drink Garden

• For more information visit: https://santabarbarahalf.com/palm-park/

Sunday, November 9

• 7:00am – Half Marathon presented by HOKA Start
• 8:30am – UCLA Health 5K Start
• 10:00am – HOKA Kids Fun Run presented by Cowabunga Daily
• 8:00am-12:00pm – Funk Zone Finish Line Festival
• For more information visit: https://santabarbarahalf.com/event-info/

Participants will receive a commemorative medal and a fair trade, organic cotton shirt designed by award winning, local illustrator Daniel Sulzberg, in collaboration with Known Supply. Exclusive Run Local x Santa Barbara Half merchandise will be available online and at the event.

EVENT FAST FACTS

• Fifth Edition
• Central Coast’s largest running event with a sold-out, event record 7,000+ registrations
• Runners from 45 states & 11 countries
• Youngest entrant, 9 months (Kids race)
• Oldest entrant, 86-years-old (Half Marathon)
• Volunteer crew of more than 300 strong
• 60-plus porta potties
• Two dozen blind runners as well as their guides from Blind Fitness & Eyeshine
• Half Marathon event records:
  • 1:06:54, Phillip Reid, 2022
  • 1:17:38, Addie Zerrenner, 2021
• 5K event records:
  • 15:46, James Silva, 2021
  • 17:44, Jordan Hasay, 2022
• 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.