MONTEREY, CA. (March 28, 2019) — Families, couples, runners and walkers alike can win a number of prizes by participating in the first annual Castroville Artichoke Festival 5K Beach Run, May 18, 2019, at the Monterey Tides hotel in Monterey.

Join Arti the Artichoke from Ocean Mist Farms and Monty the CSUMB Otter for this fun run/walk for charity, starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the hotel at 2600 Sand Dunes Drive in Monterey.

Families, couples, runners and walkers are invited to come dressed as their favorite vegetable for a chance to win free ticket packages to the Artichoke Festival (June 1-2, 2019). All participants will get a race T-shirt, free artichoke in their goodie bag, one free ticket to the Artichoke Festival, and room and restaurant discounts at this beautiful waterfront boutique hotel — all for a charitable cause, on the beautiful sands of the Monterey Bay.

Race day registration starts at 9:00 a.m., in the Bay View Room at the Monterey Tides, the race starts at 10:30 a.m. and the course closes at 12:30 p.m. Registration and fees are non-transferable and non-refundable. A registration form is required for each participant. All runners and/or walkers must be able to complete the course in 2 hours or less. Register online at www.active.com

Cost for the 5K run/walk is $35 per individual (one T-shirt included with registration) through April 25, 2019; $40 until May 18, 2019. For the Kids walk/run is $10 per child (one T-shirt included with registration) through April 25, 2019; $15 until May 18, 2019.

T-shirts guaranteed to participants registered on or before May 1, 2019. After May 1, shirts are given out while supplies last. No guarantee of availability or preferred size.

Because this is a fun run, everyone gets a bib, but there will not be set gender or age classes for adults. Every youth age 12 and under receives a medal.

All runs and walks start and end on the beach waterfront, behind the Monterey Tides hotel. Course stays on the hard packed wet verge of sand/sea, heading south toward Monterey. The course is not timed. The race will take place rain or shine.

Link to course map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=734947

 

AWARDS:

>Adults 13-120: come dressed as your favorite vegetable for a chance to win Artichoke Festival “It’s a Date” entry ticket package: 2 adults, plus 2 wine tastings.

>Kids Walk/Run for youth 12 and under. Each youth receives a medal. Best vegetable costume wins Artichoke Festival “Family Pack”: 2 adults, 2 children.

For pre-registration, runners can sign up at Active.com, or pick up mail-in order forms in Monterey and Aptos at Fleet Feet, through April 25, 2019, at 472 Alvarado Street, Monterey, and 7960 Soquel Drive. Ste., Aptos. Pre-registration is also available at the Artichoke Festival Office at 11402 Merritt St., Castroville (in Nick’s Hiway Market shopping mall, behind 76 Gas Station). New registrations can be submitted up to and during the week before the race at Artichoke Festival office, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, through May 17, 2019. Pick up race bibs on Tuesday, May 14 and Friday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to come dressed as your favorite vegetable. Otherwise, wear comfortable clothing, taking into account that you will get hot once you begin your run/walk, as well as sunblock, sunglasses, a windbreaker in case the weather changes, and a towel to wipe off the sand. Also, be sure to wear good running/athletic shoes. Participants are encouraged to eat something at least one hour prior to the start of the race.No pets or strollers allowed on the beach.

If you have questions please contact Castroville Artichoke Festival office at (831) 633-2465 (toll free: 888-808-7707). For more information: email artifest@att.net.

 

About the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival began in 1959 and has since developed to become a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” The festival features family-fun events for all ages and has been a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups for many years. For more information, visit https://artichokefestival.org/. This year’s festival will be held June 1-2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.