Records Set at the Inaugural Vaqueros 5k Stampede!

Rebecca Adam and Jimmy Friery headed to the finish!
Photo credit: Anthony Zell for SBCC — Rebecca Adam and Jimmy Friery headed to the finish! Photo credit: Anthony Zell for SBCC

September 28, 2024

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

At 9 am on a crisp 58 degree morning, 80 participants, ages 18-73, gathered at La Playa Stadium to walk or run the inaugural Vaqueros 5k Stampede to support Santa Barbara City College Athletics.

This year's run was made possible by a generous UCLA Health Sponsorship, along with support from Jordano's, SB Running, and Rabbit. Thank you all!

Runners were welcomed at the start by Assemblymember Gregg Hart, SBCC Board Member Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore,

SBCC Superintendent/President Dr. Erika Endrijonas, and members of the SBCC Cheer & Athletics Teams.

(Photo credit: Anthony Zell for SBCC)

SBCC Superintendent/President Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore & Mentee

Dr. Erika Endrijonas & Assemblymember Gregg Hart

(Photo credits: Anthony Zell for SBCC)

Director of Athletics LaDeane Hansten counted down and got them started on their way. SBCC's Coordinator of Student Success, Michael Gamboa, designed the course which started at the world famous La Playa Stadium track. Led by Physical Education Instructor Diego Ramirez on his e-bike (pictured below), runners crossed Loma Alta and worked their way up the steep hill to West Campus. They looped around West Campus, over the Loma Alta bridge and across campus down to historic Pershing Park and around the baseball and softball fields.

And they're off!

(Photo credit: Anthony Zell for SBCC)

Diego Ramirez - Race Lead

(Photo credit: Anthony Zell for SBCC)

SBCC's Amazing Counseling Team!

(Photo credit: Anthony Zell for SBCC)

The final leg of the race was through East Campus and back down Loma Alta with a spectacular view of the ocean and palm trees on their way to the finish line at La Playa Stadium.

Participants included many SBCC staff and students, SB county locals, and people from as far as Sacramento and Newport Beach. Runners commented that the course was "hard, great, beautiful, and more uphill than I thought!"

A highlight for all of the participants was the constant support of and encouragement by Vaqueros Athletics Teams at every part of the course. SBCC Cheer was there at the start, finish, and the awards ceremony. Women's water polo, men's basketball, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, and baseball made their mark on the day from the registration table to standing guard on Loma Alta to ensuring that participants never strayed from the course. Men's volleyball had the option to either work or participate in the event, and their very own Charlie Coordt took second overall! Congrats, Charlie!