Race Organizers Modify Start Time to Ensure Safety During Extreme Heat
Amid a scorching Southern California heatwave, the 19th annual Santa Monica Classic took place on Sunday with safety as a top priority. To avoid the hottest part of the day, race organizers moved the start time up to 7 a.m. and made significant changes to the race format.
Originally scheduled to feature both 5K and 10K races, the event was streamlined, with both distances merging into a single 5K course. The 10K was modified to two loops on the 5K route. Despite the changes, more than 7,000 participants, including past champions and first-time runners, embraced the adjustments.
Among them was last year’s 10K women’s champion, Elizabeth Ben-Ishai, who opted for the 5K this year and took home the win with a time of 17 minutes, 49 seconds. While some runners missed the newly redesigned 10K course, Ben-Ishai praised the organizers for prioritizing safety.
“I understand,” said Ben-Ishai, who resides in Pasadena. “Safety first. You can still come out here and have a great day. I appreciated the hard decisions organizers had to make.”
Ingrid Walters of Santa Monica finished second in the women’s race with a time of 18:50, while Andi Aguilar of Aliso Viejo claimed third in 19:25.
In the men’s race, Johnny Hogue of Los Angeles clinched victory in 15 minutes and 10 seconds. Originally from West Virginia, Hogue joked about his sensitivity to Southern California’s weather after two years of living in Los Angeles.
“It’s funny—two years in L.A. and suddenly I’m a baby about the humidity,” Hogue quipped. “But honestly, it’s an incredible course. The ocean breeze, the crowd support—it was worth every step.”
Despite the heat-driven adjustments, the Santa Monica Classic maintained its reputation as a world-class race. Participants were met with misting stations, multiple water stops, and iced towels at the finish line. Runners enjoyed scenic views of palm-tree-lined streets, the Pacific Ocean, and the iconic Santa Monica Pier.
The event wrapped up with a kids’ race and a new finish-line festival location at the 3rd Street Promenade. Reflecting on the race, Ben-Ishai called it a quintessential Southern California experience.
“Scenic views of the beach and always good competition against other runners. The fans line the course, cheering for you. Seeing the ocean is very inspiring and helps you push to the max,” she said.
Hogue echoed her sentiments. “I’m looking at the beach thinking, this is incredible. To be able to run along the beach, feel the breeze, see all the people along the coast. If you haven’t done this race, it’s a great one to come to,” he added. “The crowd was great—definitely lived up to expectations.”
For complete race results and photos, visit SantaMonicaClassic.com.
