Racers Seek to Tame the Westmonster 5K

The sixth annual Westmonster, dubbed Santa Barbara’s toughest 5K race, returns to the scenic Westmont campus Friday, July 17, at 6:15 p.m. The race is a family-friendly event and is open to everyone. An early registration fee of $35 is available through June 30, after which the registration fee increases to $40. High school and Westmont students may participate for $25. Children (up to 14 can take part in the 5K race for $20. Same-day registration at the track begins at 5 p.m., but participants are encouraged to register online at http://www.westmont.edu/westmonster.

The Westmonster, part of the 2015 Santa Barbara Athletic Association Grand Prix Series, is a fundraiser for Westmont student-athlete scholarships.

The course, which climbs 284 feet, weaves through Westmont’s beautifully wooded campus in the Montecito foothills. Dinner will be provided for all participants after the race.

“We wanted to make it different since there are a lot of races in town,” says Dave Odell, Westmont athletic director. “We developed into the course this big hill, which is kind of a monster. It’s very steep, probably a 15 percent grade. So it’s a play on words, we’re Westmonsters and we have the Westmonster hill.”

Cindy Abrami of Santa Barbara has claimed four Westmonster women’s titles in five years. Ricky Ho of Santa Barbara has claimed three men’s titles. Bobby Olivera of Ventura finished the course in 16:49 to win last year, while Abrami won in 20:35.