I’ve wanted to run the Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run 5k for a while. The timing hasn’t worked out for a multitude of reasons, including busy December weeks at work and running marathons shortly before. This year finally seemed to work out, and while it was still a very busy week at work, I decided to drive down the day of. The drive to Venice Beach is about 90 minutes on a very good day, but due to traffic, it has taken me four hours before.
I figured that at least on a Saturday morning it wouldn’t be crazy, and it wasn’t. I made very good time getting down there. When I arrived in record time with no issues, I thought, well, that is probably my one good deed of the day. I was pretty tired and worn down. A lot of people do dress up for this festive 5k, but with the warmer weather, I didn’t really have anything that would be comfortable. I settled on face tattoos and called it a day. I do appreciate 60 degree coastal California winter weather, but it does make it harder to dress festively since most holiday running clothes are made for colder weather. I digress.
I ran a 3-mile warm-up (my usual for 5Ks) and then got to the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K start around 7:55 for the 8:00 a.m. start. Sadly, the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K race (and later the 10K race) were both delayed. Finally, we were off.
Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K Race:
During the first mile of the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K, I thought, wow, I actually feel good. Running felt smooth, and I didn’t feel like I was working super hard. There are a couple of very small inclines during the first mile, and I ran a 6:07 and felt smooth. I actually thought, will this be the time I’m back under 19 minutes? Narrator: it most definitely was not.
Around the halfway point, I started to feel like garbage. The week caught up to me, and I just felt tired. I was struggling to even run a 6:30 mile. From there, I knew I was in survival mode and just focused on finishing. Taking out a 5K too fast for the day becomes incredibly painful quickly, and I knew I was in for a rough time.
I just focused on counting down to the finish. Five more minutes… four… three… two… one… I ran a 6:47 final mile and crossed the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K in 20:12 as the 6th woman overall.
Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K Thoughts:
Some races are not your day, and that is okay. Between a long week, traveling back from the half marathon, and being tired, I didn’t have high hopes for this race. Was it fun? Yes, and I would like to do it again when I feel better.
Is the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K worth running?
Yes. The Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run is a solid holiday race with a scenic coastal setting and a strong local turnout. It works well for runners who want a festive race that still feels legitimate and competitive.
What is the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K course like?
The course is mostly flat with a few small inclines in the early miles. It is very runnable and generally fast, though coastal wind might be an issue. The entire course is not closed off so you’ll likely need to run around pedestrians.
Is the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K a fast course?
It can be. The layout supports quick times, but crowding, start delays, and going out too hard can make it harder. But I don’t think you’ll find a much flatter or faster course in the area…although the 180 degree turns can make it more challenging too.
How competitive is the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K?
The race draws a strong local field, especially at the front, while still being welcoming to all abilities. It has enough competition to race seriously without feeling intimidating. Like any local race
Would you run the Santa Monica–Venice Christmas Run 5K again?
Yes. It is a race I would return to, especially in a year with less fatigue going in. The location and overall vibe make it worth another shot when conditions line up better. There aren’t a lot of races I feel comfortable driving same day, but the lack of traffic and easy parking make it easy.
You can see Strava here and all race recaps here.
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here. Love running? You can subscribe to my weekly newsletter or read more about running shoes in my ebook.
Questions for you:
Have you run a holiday race?
What is your favorite race?