SM Pal Presents The ‘3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K’ Walk-Run On May 18

Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) presents the “3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K,” a walk-run benefiting PAL and honors the life of an American hero, revered Santa Monica Police officer and Santa Monica resident, on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 4 p.m. Check-in for participants will be on the lower pier deck just across from Big Deans Ocean Front Café at 1615 Ocean Front Walk.

T he 5K course begins at the lower deck in front of the Santa Monica Pier carousel. It travels south on Ocean Front Walk to the Bay Street loop, then proceeds northbound on Ocean Front Walk to the Montana Stairs Parking Lot, loops around finishing back in front 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 by a rocket-propelled grenade while on tour and in service to his country in Iraq on May 26, 2005.

Officer Crocker’s last assignment with the Santa Monica Police Department was with the Santa Monica Police Activities League, where he mentored the most 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 afterschool programming.”

The Santa Monica Pier’s last Locals’ Night of the season is from 3:30-10 p.m., and will feature a lineup of activities and entertainment including an unforgettable evening of music, food, and community that’s hosted at multiple locations throughout the Pier.

To register for the “3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K” walk-run, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-rick-crocker-5k-run-walk-challenge-tickets-576421591497. For more information, please contact pal@santamonica.gov.

Parking for the “3rd Annual Rick Crocker 5K” walk-run is located at Beach Lot 1 North - 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90401, for map directions, please visit https://www.santamonicapier.org/directions-parking.

Santa Monica PAL is staffed by the City of Santa Monica and dedicated to providing free afterschool programming for youth ages 6 -17. PAL has a non-profit Board of Directors who fundraise 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 of color 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.