NOTICE: Event has been cancelled as of 03/10/2020. 

She.is.beautiful was born on a dream, optimism, hard work, and love. It was fueled by a passion for running and to celebrate life in all its mess and beauty. Running brought so much strength, gratitude, power, and grounding to Melissa’s life since she began running regularly on her high school’s cross country team at age 15. Melissa knew her passion for running was a feeling shared with others yet she also aware there were many others who had yet to feel the magic…and she wanted to both change and celebrate just that. She.is.beautiful was built on the idea of showing and reminding women and girls how strong they truly are in their bodies can give them a new confidence that will positively affect other aspects of their life. Seeing a women or girl develop and own her body and life, that, that right there is beautiful!

Endorphins, kindness, joy, empowerment, and support for yourself and those around you…that is something worth celebrating!

With a background in marketing, event production, dreaming, and a separate full time job, at 24 years old Melissa kicked off the first year of SIB. Her barely-older sister was in Physical Therapy School at UCSF at the time but agreed to show up and help with the race- which is good because not only is Sara quick on her feet and has great ideas, but she’s also SO MUCH FUN. With a love for community, self love, health, girlfriends, sweat, confidence, and keeping it real, She.is.beautiful started with 500 women on a start line in Santa Cruz, CA and has now grown to 6,000 women in Santa Cruz and 2,000+ in Santa Barbara, CA. Hearing the stories and journeys of the women and girls that participate in the event is what keeps the sisters inspired to make each event better than the last.

Nine years later, the course is still lined with inspirational sassy sayings, the ladies tend to show up in pink (but not required), and the positive energy created on these race mornings can move mountains and make you want to crush the rest of your life with more joy and overall badass-ness. You deserve to live a life that makes you feel good!

Since year one, She.is.beautiful has donated to Walnut Avenue Family Center in Santa Cruz and Girls Incorporated of the Greater Santa Barbara Area. SIB is on track to hit their goal of $100,000 donated to Walnut Avenue Family Center by their 10th annual year.

Please visit www.runsheisbeautiful.com to register!