Thousands of ‘kooks’ run along Pacific Coast Highway for Encinitas race

As the sun rose over Encinitas Sunday morning, runners from throughout the region — and across North America — warmed up near the starting line for the 13th annual Cardiff Kook Run.

While most opted for traditional running gear — sneakers, workout leggings and even shorts, in spite of the 45-degree weather — others donned colorful costumes as birds, royalty, cheerleaders, football players and a Lunar New Year-style dragon. One Encinitas resident dressed as a scuba diver being eaten by a kraken, a legendary sea monster akin to an octopus said to appear in the sea between Norway and Iceland.

“When they announced the theme of ‘Release the Kraken,’ I’m like, OK, I gotta do something with an octopus,” said Leslie Vaughan, 58, who wore a scuba mask with tentacles towering over her frame.

By morning’s end, more than 2,000 runners and walkers made their way along the route with scenic, coastal views, then back to the finish line under the historic Encinitas sign. Race Director Jeff Stoner said registration nearly tripled late in the week once it was clear the weather would be nice.

Race Ambassador Jessica Walton participated in Sunday’s race alongside other members of Black Girls Run, Black Men Run and Santa Mujeres Running Club. The three groups are focused on making the racing community more inclusive, something Walton said she didn’t experience when she started running in 2018.

“When I found this community, you show up to races and you’re like ‘I belong here,’ ” she said “We belong here, too, we deserve to be here, and it just feels good to see so many of us starting to get into running.”

Caleb Webb from Flagstaff, Ariz., and Grace Stalnaker — who recently moved to San Diego — were the first place male and female runners, respectively. Both are professionals preparing for the Olympic Team USA trials this summer and ran in Sunday’s 10K Pro/Elite race.

Crossing the finish line in 29 minutes, 35 seconds was an accomplishment for Webb, 26, who said 2023 was a year filled with injury related setbacks.

“Just to be racing again, healthy and just in a good place mentally where I just can enjoy it is super special,” he said.

Runners competing in the Peoples 10K race take off from the start line during the Kook Run, presented by BUBS Naturals, in Encinitas on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

(Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

With the Cardiff Kook run behind them, Webb said he and his coach are focused on training for the chance to compete in the Paris Summer Olympics.

Stalnaker, registered under her maiden name Barnett, finished the race in 33 minutes, 37 seconds. Although the Asics-sponsored runner typically runs shorter 1500-meter, 1-mile and 5K races, Stalnaker said she was inspired to run Sunday’s 10K to participate in the elite race and be a part of the broader running community in San Diego.

“It’s always great to be in that environment and try and push myself to run a little further outside the comfort zone,” she said.

Stalnaker, who is married to a Marine, plans to donate her prize money to the Wingman Foundation, supporting the families of fallen Navy and Marine Corps Aviation service members. The organization set up a fundraiser for the families of the five service members killed in the East County helicopter crash last week who were members of her husband’s squadron.

The Cardiff Kook sculpture has a sign encouraging runners competing in the Kook Run attached to it during the Kook Run, presented by BUBS Naturals, in Encinitas on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

(Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The race name pays homage to the 6-foot, bronze statue of a surfer officially named “Magic Carpet Ride” by artist Matthew Antichevich. When it was erected in 2007, the local surfing community nicknamed it the Cardiff Kook, referencing a surfing slang term for newbie surfers due to the figure’s unrealistic, awkward stance.

In the years since, the statue has frequently been dressed in costumes, inspiring the costume portion of Sunday’s race.

“It brings that uniqueness to the event, in the spirit of what the Kook statue kind of represents here in Encinitas,” Stoner said.

Proceeds from the race and its finish line festival benefit the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas, Cardiff 101 Main Street and Right Hand Angels, a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities.