The Kook Run presented by BUBS Naturals
The Kook Run is a SoCal Super Bowl Sunday tradition, where thousands kick off the morning with a 5K/10K fun run and costumed race along the Pacific Coast.
The Pro/Elite race was the fastest 10K on the West Coast in 2022 and will be made up of an international field of runners, as well as the top runners in Southern California. In 2023, all will be racing for a cash purse of $3,000 on the most prestigious 10K course in SoCal. The costume contest is one of the most entertaining aspects of the event with categories including “Football Fan,” “Group Costume,” and “Individual Kook.”
Costume contest participants need to register/check-in at the Costume Contest Registration table between 6:30am and 7:15am. The costume award ceremony will immediately follow the 5K race. Winners must be present to win.
This year, The Kook Run presented by BUBS Naturals is proud to donate generous portions of proceeds to Cardiff 101 Mainstreet and the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA of Encinitas. The Surfing Madonna Oceans Project will be the beneficiary of the event’s beer garden sales. Registration is now open and is $55 for the 5K (3.1 miles), $75 for the 10K (6.2 miles), and $12 for the Junior Kook Run. Each participant receives a premium t-shirt and finisher’s medal, and this year’s theme is “Alice in Wonderland. The course starts under the world famous “Encinitas” sign on the historic Coast Hwy 101 in Encinitas. This scenic loop passes by the famous “Cardiff Kook” statue, rises above some of the most popular surf breaks in the world, and heads down to Cardiff State Beach. Water stations are provided throughout the course.
Race day and costume contest registration opens on-site at 6:00am. Welcome and introductions take place at 7am. The Elite/10K race starts at 7:30am, while the 5K and costume division race start at 7:55am. The awards ceremony takes place at 9:15am. The post-run festival includes a beer garden featuring Lost Abbey, Ballast Point, Juneshine, and Pena — along with live music featuring Paging the 90s. This year, kids ages 3-11 will get their own day to run at the Junior Kook Run at the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA with a course modified for kids, from 400 yards to one mile, on Saturday, February 11.
