ENCINITAS, Calif. - Thousands of racers dressed up as their favorite version of an iconic surfing statue Sunday during the first annual Cardiff Kook Run.
Flamingos, spacemen, sharks, bees, and more costumes were spotted running along the San Diego coastline early Sunday morning in participation of the 5K and 10K event.
“I think we nailed the personality of Cardiff. It’s very engaging, but also very comfortable place to live,” the event organizer Steve Lebherz said.
The statue has been the target of dozens of pranks since it was erected in 2007. Locals have secretly dressed the Kook as a pterodactyl, great white shark, sports figures, and more.
Many of the runners got on the starting line here for the same reason, said Lebherz.
“We’re forming the Cardiff Kook foundation,” Lebherz said. “The funds that we generate will preserve and the area around the Cardiff Kook statue.”
Some of the money will also go to Cardiff Elementary physical education programs.
