Five Oxnard High Schools to Compete in Santa to the Sea Contest

OXNARD, Calif. - Nov. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- OXNARD, Calif.—NRG Energy presents this year’s Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and Relay Race’s Neighborhood Cheer Challenge where five neighborhood schools along the race route will compete for most spirited. The schools create a festival-type celebration in their neighborhood to cheer on and entertain the runners during the Dec. 8 race. Runners then vote for the most entertaining school and cash prizes ranging from $2,500 to $500 will be awarded to all schools in order of most spirited.

The five schools competing along the race route include Rio Mesa, Pacifica, Oxnard, Hueneme, and Channel Islands High Schools. Students and their families around these schools are encouraged to get into the holiday spirit by cheering on the runners, recruiting bands, wearing costumes and decorating the route; anything to impress the runners and spread holiday cheer.

Runners will receive an online survey immediately after the race to vote on which neighborhood impressed them the most. NRG Energy, who sponsors and funds the contest as a Gold Sponsor, will award the first-place neighborhood $2,500; second place, $1,500; third place, $1,000; and fourth and fifth place, $500.

“One of our missions at Santa to the Sea is to involve, engage and give back to the community” said Mike Barber founder and race organizer of Santa to the Sea. “The Neighborhood Cheer Challenge shows just how vibrant the city of Oxnard and its neighborhoods are.”

All Santa to the Sea races start at 8 a.m. The half marathon begins at the giant Santa located at 2801 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard, and ends at the Marine Emporium Landing in Channel Islands Harbor. The 5K and 1K Kids Fun Runs start and finish at the Marine Emporium Landing. All participants must register before the race; there is no race-day registration. Runners can register online at www.santatothesea.com.

About NRG

A Fortune 500 company, NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. Whether as the largest solar power developer in the country, by building the nation’s first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use, NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers.

About Santa to the Sea

Santa to the Sea is a nonprofit event borne out of a desire to give back to the community. What started in 2003 as a toy drive to celebrate the relocation of the world’s largest Santa Claus from Carpinteria to Oxnard, has grown into a robust running event, toy drive, and community fundraiser. Santa to the Sea includes a sanctioned half marathon and a 2-person half marathon relay, plus 5K run and 1K kids fun runs. The Santa to the Sea Scholarship Fund partners with the Oxnard College Foundation to award $500 scholarships to local high school students and adults continuing their education at Oxnard College.