Rick Crocker 5K Fundraiser for PAL

Published on May 9, 2023

Santa Monica Police Activities League presents the ‘3rd annual Rick Crocker 5k’ walk-run on May 18 during the Santa Monica pier’s last locals’ night of the season

Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) presents the “3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K,” a walk-run benefiting PAL and honoring the life of a Santa Monica Police officer and resident. The 5K course begins on the Pier in front of the Santa Monica Pier carousel. Runners will travel south on Ocean Front Walk to the Bay Street loop, then proceeds northbound on Ocean Front Walk to the Montana Stairs Parking Lot before looping around to return to the Santa Monica Pier carousel.

Officer Ricardo Crocker was a 10-year veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department and a Marine Corps Reserve Major. He was appointed as a police officer on July 21, 1995. Officer Crocker was killed on May 26, 2005, by a rocket-propelled grenade while on deployment in Iraq in service to his country. Officer Crocker’s last assignment with the Santa Monica Police Department was with the Santa Monica Police Activities League where he mentored vulnerable youth in the community.

“It is an honor to be able to host the ‘3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K’ walk-run on behalf of PAL and for all the team members and families that were impacted by his presence and ongoing legacy,” says Eula Fritz, Director at Santa Monica Police Activities League. “We are also grateful to the Santa Monica Pier to be able to join them on their last Local’s Night event, which will help increase participation for the walk-run marathon and raise awareness in the community for the needs of PAL kids and after-school programming.”

The Santa Monica Pier’s Locals’ Night kicks off with family-friendly activities at 3:30 PM. The evening activities will continue until 10 PM and feature a lineup of entertainment including an unforgettable evening of music, food, and community that’s hosted at multiple locations along the Pier.

WHAT:
3rd annual Rick Crocker 5k

WHEN:
Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 4 PM

WHERE:
Santa Monica Pier Merry-Go-Round

 

To register for the “3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K” walk-run, please visit PAL’s registration page. For more information, please contact pal@santamonica.gov. Check-in for participants will be on the lower pier deck just across from Big Deans Ocean Front Café at 1615 Ocean Front Walk at 3 PM.

Parking for the event and 5K is located at Beach Lot 1 North (1550 Appian Way, Santa Monica, CA 90401).

About Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL)

Santa Monica PAL is staffed by the City of Santa Monica and dedicated to providing free after-school programming for youth ages 6 -17. PAL has a non-profit Board of Directors who fund raise to sustain PAL’s dynamic educational, fitness, leadership and recreational programming. PAL’s myriad of programs enriches lives, advances equity, empowers youth to thrive, and bridges the gap between youth and law enforcement. PAL’s mentoring and enrichment programs are specifically targeted to break down the stigmas, fear and high levels of distrust of police. Santa Monica PAL is located at 1401 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404. For more information, call 310-458-8988 or visit smpal.org.

About Santa Monica Pier’s Locals’ Night

Held on the third Thursday of each month from September through May, Local’s Night is an opportunity to find live, local bands, free family activities, classic car show, and a rotating program of seasonal art and cultural activations at the Santa Monica Pier. Past Locals’ Night events have included silent discos, live painting, story time for toddlers, and exclusive offers and specials from Pier businesses. Local’s Night by the Santa Monica Pier is one of many events throughout the year hosted by the Pier Corporation for locals to enjoy outdoors in the ocean air.

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Feature image courtesy of @evaniabsc