Film actress Julia Roberts was one of more than 630 runners who participated in the 2nd annual Santa to the Sea half-marathon yesterday in Oxnard, Calif. The 13.1-mile course began at Nyeland Acres (home of the giant Santa Claus figure that used to greet drivers along Highway 101 in Carpinteria), all the way through downtown Oxnard, and then wound through the strawberry fields before ending at Channel Islands Harbor. Other events included a 2-man relay and a 5K Fun Run.
The non-profit agency, Garden Acres Mutual Water Company that owns the Nyeland Acres site, organized the race to supplement the toys collected during the organization’s annual toy drive. Each runner donated a toy as part of the entry fee. Last year, the organization collected more than 1,300 toys for underprivileged children.
While Roberts was obviously one of the race’s biggest surprises, none of the other runners and relay volunteers saw the Award-winning actress running the marathon. It was only during the halfway point that an announcement was made that the “Pretty Woman” was actually running. Police reports also confirmed her participation.
(Source: Ventura County Star, 12/14/09)
Comments