The annual Red Nose Run, where hundreds of reindeers, elves and Santas raced their way down Del Mar Beach, took place last Saturday. The event is a volunteer-organized tradition that invites people to dress up in holiday outfits and participate in a 3k or a 5k race on the beach. The Red Nose Run is now in its 33rd year, and continues to give the proceeds from the entrance fee to charities such as the Semper Fi & America’s Fund and the San Dieguito River Park.
The run started with Santa cruising in from the ocean on a lifeguard boat and greeting the serious runners, costume fanatics, families and dogs. The race began at 12 p.m. below the Poseidon restaurant. Participants started by heading South and then looped back around to finish the race where they started. After the run, there were tables with free food, beverages and merchandise.
Bella Napuri (10) ran in past years because of a special connection to the event.
“My stepdad, Anthony Valentino, is the founder of the Red Nose Run,” Napuri said. “My grandma and mom help with it, and they all are normally given a news segment or infomercial type of thing to talk about the race.”
With her family’s involvement, Napuri competed in previous years, and overtime, gained a common aspect she “loves about the race.”
“The community is definitely my favorite part of the event,” Napuri said. “Everyone dresses up in fun Christmas-themed costumes and most [people] have even been coming for years to make it a part of their holiday traditions.”
The costumes add festivity to the Red Nose Run, and Verdad West (11) noticed many “full out” outfits when she attended the event this year.
“I think it was cool [that] a lot of people were dressed up for the costume contest,” West said. “Some people were running in these crazy costumes; I think one lady was dressed up as a Christmas tree.”
Along with giving back to charities, the event gives back to the participants each year.
“Even though you have to pay, it’s a nice walk on the beach and it goes to charity,” West said. “Also, you get free stuff; I got a water bottle, a beanie and they provide free food from Poseidon and ice cream from Saffron and Rose. You’re paying $25 but you’re getting a lot back.”
Mary Beth McCabe is a returning organizer and volunteer, who “heard about the event in the ’90s” and continues to participate in it.
“We call ourselves ‘volundeers’ at the Red Nose Run because of the holiday aspect, and a lot of us dress up as reindeers,” McCabe said. “My favorite costume, though, was four ladies who dressed up as Santas, who won the [costume] contest [this year].”
The “volundeers” put a lot of work into the event and even joined the race. Although McCabe said that the turnout was the “biggest it’s ever been,” she would like to see more involvement from kids in future years.
“Something we’ve had in the past that I’d like to bring back is a lot of student volunteers, especially from Torrey Pines High School,” McCabe said. “We could use the help setting up the merchandise and food tables and having people stay after to help clean up.”
McCabe loves that the event brings the community together and appreciates the causes the funds go to.
“The Semper Fi & America’s Fund is a great organization that supports veterans with recovery programs and helps out with some of their costs,” McCabe said. “And the San Dieguito River Park is working on extending the [Coast to Crest] hiking trail from Del Mar all the way to the Julien mountains, which is really cool.”
The Red Nose Run is a holiday tradition in San Diego that unites people, providing an opportunity to exercise in nature and give back to local charities.
“I would definitely recommend it,” Napuri said. “We give out free food. It’s very Christmas spirited, and it’s a great way to get exercise while engaging in a fun community-based activity that lasts most of the day.”
