Westmonster 5K to Race through Campus

More than 100 runners are expected to compete in Santa Barbara’s toughest 5K race Thursday, Aug. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Westmont track. The fourth annual Westmonster, part of the 2013 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. A free children’s 1,000-meter race will follow the Westmonster. Dinner will be provided for all participants after the races.

“We wanted to make it different since we know 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.”

The race is a family-friendly event and is open to everyone. An early registration fee of $35 is available through July 31, after which the registration fee increases to $40. Children can participate in the 5K race for $15.Same-day registration begins at 5 p.m., but participants are encouraged to register online at http://www.westmont.edu/westmonster.

Ricky Ho and Cindy Abrami have each claimed two Westmonster titles in three years.