Title
a. Approve a one-time Special Event Use Permit with an anticipated attendance over 5,000 between OCR US Holdings, LLC dba Spartan Race, Inc. and the County of Monterey to hold the Monterey Spartan Super 10K and Sprint 5K Weekend, and the Monterey Spartan Trail Race 10K, 21K & 50 K Events at Toro Regional Park on May 31-June 1, 2025, where all Public Works, Facilities and Park’s Department expenditures to support this Event will be reimbursed by Spartan;
b. Find that the one-time Monterey Spartan Super 10K and Sprint 5K Weekend and The Monterey Spartan Trail Race 10K, 21K & 50K Events scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2025, at Monterey County’s Toro Regional Park, is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines; and
c. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or designee to sign the Special Event Use Permit between Spartan Race, Inc. and the County of Monterey.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a one-time Special Event Use Permit with an anticipated attendance over 5,000 between OCR US Holdings, LLC dba Spartan Race, Inc. and the County of Monterey to hold the Monterey Spartan Super 10K and Sprint 5K Weekend, and the Monterey Spartan Trail Race 10K, 21K & 50 K Events at Toro Regional Park on May 31-June 1, 2025, where Public Works, Facilities and Park’s Department expenditures to support this Event will be reimbursed by Spartan;
b. Find that the one-time Monterey Spartan Super 10K and Sprint 5K Weekend and The Monterey Spartan Trail Race 10K, 21K & 50K Events scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2025, at Monterey County’s Toro Regional Park, is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines; and
c. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or designee to sign the Special Event Use Permit between Spartan Race, Inc. and the County of Monterey.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
OCR US Holdings, LLC dba Spartan Race, Inc. (Spartan) requests to enter into a one-time Special Event Use Permit (Permit) with the County of Monterey (County) to hold the Monterey Spartan Super 10K and Sprint 5K Weekend Event with obstacles and the Monterey Spartan Trail Race 10K, 21K and 50K Event without obstacles (Event) at Toro Regional Park (Park) on May 31-June 1, 2025. Spartan is the world’s leading obstacle race company and the first of its kind to feature timing and global rankings. Spartan races feature a challenging racecourse, healthy lifestyle and a fun, family-friendly festival atmosphere. Each Spartan Race features a Kids Spartan Race for youth ages 5-13. Event details are set forth in Attachment A. Attendance for the 2025 Event is not anticipated to exceed 8,000 participants. Per Monterey County Code 14.12.180F.1, any special event held at a County park with 5,000 or more participants requires approval of the County Board of Supervisors. All Event plans will be updated no later than 30 days prior to the Event and will be incorporated by reference in the Permit.
As this Event involves only construction of a temporary racecourse and placement of associated appurtenances causing temporary minor alteration to Park facilities and grounds, it qualifies as categorically exempt from CEQA review under Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines. The proposed Permit terms require that Spartan restore the Park to pre-Event condition at Spartan’s sole expense. County will hold a deposit to cover restoration costs should Spartan fail to perform all necessary reparations to the Park. Spartan conducted successful events at the Park since 2013.
Staff requests the Board of Supervisors: 1) Approve the one-time Special Event Use Permit for the Event with an anticipated attendance over 5,000 (Attachment B); 2) Find that the Event is categorically exempt from CEQA per Section 15304(e) (Attachment C); and 3) Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or designee to sign the Permit.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel reviewed the Permit and approved it as to form. Spartan is required to submit Event plans for review and to secure all required regulatory permits from the County of Monterey Department of Housing and Community Development, Risk Management, Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services, and Health Department, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), and Monterey County Regional Fire District. Spartan is required to contract with designated companies or local law enforcement agencies to provide required traffic control and security for the Event.
FINANCING:
The Spartan Event is anticipated to provide approximately $92,604 in special event revenue for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, which will be deposited in Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) Operations General Fund 001, Appropriation Unit PFP058. The FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget for Park Operations includes revenue projections for this Event.
All expenditure costs are reimbursable for PWFP-Parks to support this Event. Staff costs associated with preparation of the Permit and board report and conduct of Event oversight are included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget for PWFP-Park Operations General Fund 001, Appropriation Unit PFP058. Costs to restore the facility to pre-Event condition are the responsibility of Spartan. Spartan shall pay to County a cleaning and damage deposit in the amount of $50,000 to cover reparation costs should Spartan fail to perform any of its obligations.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives for Economic Development, Administration, Health & Human Services, Infrastructure, and Public Safety. PWFP-Parks’ effective administration attracts many events to County Parks’ facilities, which not only generate revenue to sustain the parks but also promote economic development by attracting out-of-area visitor dollars that stimulate the local economy. Management of events held in County Parks’ facilities is always attentive to protecting park resources, ensuring public safety, and reducing potential impacts to the local community to the greatest extent possible.
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Dona Luna, Management Analyst III, x5455
Reviewed by: Bryan Flores, Chief of Parks, x6425
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Spartan Race Event Details
Attachment B - Proposed Special Event Use Permit
Attachment C - CEQA Guidelines Section 15304(e)
(Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board)