4,000 Runners Get in the Holiday Spirit

An estimated 4,000 runners pounded the pavement Saturday at the Christmas Run, and they sure brought spirit. Many were decked out in Santa hats, elf accessories or reindeer antlers. And the mood was merry.

The 10K run started early in the morning, before 8  a.m. 

Among the early birds were Mike Davies and Su-yang Liu, from Santa Monica and west Los Angeles, respectively. Davis placed sixth overall in the 10K, while Liu came in ninth.

"It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit," said Davies, "and blow off some calories from all food people are eating at their parties."

Davies and Liu run in the same track club, but the 34th Annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run provided a different atmosphere, attracting thousands of eager runners and their cheerleaders.

"They cheer you on, show a lot of spirit, and it gives you a boost," said Liu.

Other track clubs included a group of Oaxaquenos from Mexico in blue matching jerseys. The runners, from Mar Vista and Venice, meet at Venice High most days at 6 p.m.

"We started off just a few of us," said Maria Bautista. Now they're training for a half marathon in January, she said.

Michael Becker of Playa Vista ran both the 10K and the 5K. He planned to complete the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon the next day in Oxnard. He hit a snag during the Christmas Run when his chip fell off, and possibly losing his runner's time. He said it was important to him to place in all three races.

"Because I'm old, but I still want to get sponsors," he said.

Later, it turned out, he did recover his time in both races. He placed second in his age group, 50-54, in the 10K, and first in his age group in the 5K.

The runners who came to have fun in the 5K portion of the event included a group of six swing dancers.

"It really gets your adrenaline flowing," said west Los Angeles resident Sharon Renner about the crowd.

"You tend to run a little faster," said Santa Monica resident Petra Acosta.

For the most part, meeting up with friends was a big draw.

Three Japanese families who moved to the U.S. last fall met up for this year's Christmas Run decked in red. Together, with a child and a dog, they crossed the finish line.

Cookie the dog, a Corgi Rottweiler mix, ran the entire 5K, said owner Misato Mizuguchi proudly.

The two nonprofits which received proceeds from the race were Harvest Home, a shelter for homeless women who are pregnant, and Partners in Malawi, medical providers who administer HIV medication abroad.

View the results of the 10K and 5K here.

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