ARCADIA, Calif.– It’s back. Santa Anita’s popular Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Day 5K Run & Walk returns to The Great Race Place following a two-year absence on Derby Day, Saturday, April 9, with 5K post time at 8 a.m.
Deferred for the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Derby Day 5K has long been a springtime happening for participants ranging in ages from five years to 90-plus years of age.
Runners and walkers will begin their 5K journey from Santa Anita’s South Lot B, which adjoins the Westfield Santa Anita Mall and they will then proceed west to Gate 8 and turn north onto Baldwin Ave. From there, they will turn left into the LA County Arboretum prior to returning to Baldwin Ave., from where they will proceed east into Santa Anita’s Gate 7 and onto the backside of the track en route to an Infield finish on the inner training track.
Accordingly, Baldwin Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic between the 210 Freeway and Huntington Drive from 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
“We are thrilled that the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Day 5K Walk and Run is back, after two years due to the pandemic,” said Pete Siberell, Santa Anita’s Director of Community Services and Special Projects. “For many thousands of people, this has been a Derby Day tradition since 1994.
“We are anticipating we’ll have between 4,500 and 5,000 people either running or walking the 3.1 mile course, which ends with a lot of excitement on the inner training track. The race is a joint partnership between four iconic Arcadia entities, including not only Santa Anita Park, but the beautiful 127-acre LA County Arboretum and our two primary sponsors, Westfield Santa Anita and Methodist Hospital of Southern California.
“We also want to thank the City of Arcadia, which is providing police and fire staffing to help ensure the safety of everyone involved.”
As in years past, many of the race’s participants are expected to stay for the afternoon’s racing, which will get underway at 12 noon. With America’s most important Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade I, $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby heading a total of seven stakes, world class racing will be the order of the day.
In addition to great racing, Derby Day 5K participants will also be treated to an Infield beer garden, Spring Carnival, band and much more.
To register for the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Day 5K Run & Walk, fans are encouraged to visit www.derbyday5k.com and participants can also register in person from April 2-6, at Run With Us, located at 235 N. Lake Ave. in Pasadena or at the Promenade at Westfield Santa Anita on Friday, April 8, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
There will also be Race Day registration available in Santa Anita’s South Lot B on April 9, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. South Lot B is easily accessible via Gate 3 at Holly Ave. and Huntington Drive.
Santa Anita Park Press Release
Photo: Benoit Photo
