A Super Day for a Big Game Stampede

Dana Point-based Race Pace Promotions had a couple of goals when it created the three-year-old Saturn Super Series, a trio of 5K runs that concludes Sunday with the Big Game Stampede in Santa Ana.

For one, organizers wanted to offer a local alternative to the Super Bowl Sunday 10K in Redondo Beach, which is billed as the largest 10K on the West Coast, drawing 13,000 last year. About 1,200 are expected for the 5K.

Another thing Race Pace wanted is a series in which cumulative times are tracked. Those who run in all three races are eligible for awards given by age group. Scott Muirhead of Race Pace said the Saturn Super Series is the only such series in California.

The first two events in the series were the Halloween-themed Monster Mash Dash in Tustin and the Christmas-themed Rudolf Runoff in Dana Point.

The race starts and finishes at the Crazy Horse Steak House. Muirhead described the course as very fast. From the Crazy Horse (just north of Dyer Road), the runners will head up Grand Avenue before turning right for a short loop through a business district, then returning to Grand.

Awards will be given to Sunday’s winners and series winners. Also, all participants are eligible to win a new Saturn sedan (hence the name of the series) in a drawing.

A portion of the proceeds from Sunday’s run will benefit the Hope House substance-abuse program and the Mater Dei High School cross-country team.

What: Big Game Stampede 5K run.

When: Sunday, Jan. 30, at 8 a.m. (race-day registration at 7 a.m.)

Where: Crazy Horse Steak House, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana.

Whereabouts: Exit the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway at Dyer Road. From the north, go right on Grand Avenue, then take the first right, Brookhollow Drive; from the south, go left under the overpass, right on Grand and right on Brookhollow.

Wherewithal: $20 (includes T-shirt).

Where to call: (714) 661-6062.