Surfer's Path Marathon

Welcome to the Surfers Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & Relay events. The crowning jewel of the Golden State, Santa Cruz County welcomes runners with an enchanting blend of nostalgia, natural beauty and invigorating activities. Whether you choose the 26.2 mile Marathon, 13.1 mile Half Marathon or Relay, you will be treated to scenic courses, featuring breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay coastline and a series of world renowned surf breaks. An ideal destination event, participants can experience a quintessential California vacation. Create a memory that you will treasure forever by achieving your athletic goal in this picture postcard setting.

Coastal courseCustom Finishers Medallion (unique to Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay)Commemorative event shirtChip timing and bibFluids, food and restrooms on coursePolice management supportOnline resultsPost race refreshments and food

Marathon:The Surfer’s Path Marathon consists of a 26.2 mile run along the coast of Santa Cruz County. The event starts at the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travels east along the bluffs to the City of Capitola. Following a loop through Capitola Village, runners will retrace their steps back along the coastline, continue past the Boardwalk and onto the West Cliff path. The course travels to historic Wilder Ranch State Park where runners complete a picturesque bluff trail loop before their return to West Cliff and the finish near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Cowell’s Beach.The course is managed at a 6 hour time limit. Runners must maintain a 13:45 minute per mile pace as the course is picked up on a mile by mile rolling basis.If you are unable to run within the allotted time, you will be asked to move onto the sidewalk. Once you are on the sidewalk, you must follow all traffic laws deemed by the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz and City of Capitola. The course will be re-opened to traffic and aid stations may be closed.Half Marathon:The Capitola Half Marathon consists of a 13.1 mile run from Santa Cruz to Capitola and back. The event starts at the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travels east along the coast. The route takes runners past the Santa Cruz Harbor, Moran Lake and Pleasure Point as it makes it’s way to the City of Capitola. Following a loop through Capitola Village, runners will retrace their steps back along the coastline, continue past the Boardwalk, and make a left turn after the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to the finish on Cowell’s Beach.The course is managed at a 6 hour time limit. Runners must maintain a 13:45 minute per mile pace as the course is picked up on a mile by mile rolling basis.If you are unable to run within the allotted time, you will be asked to move onto the sidewalk. Once you are on the sidewalk, you must follow all traffic laws deemed by the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz and City of Capitola. The course will be re-opened to traffic and aid stations may be closed.Marathon RelayEnjoy all of the Capitola Half Marathon fun as a 2-Person Relay. Ride this wave tandem! The race starts at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travels the same, scenic route to Capitola Village and back to the finish near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Cowell’s Beach. The relay exchange takes place a the turn-around in Capitola Village. Grab a buddy and sign up today!Relay Teams2-Person Teams1st Leg = approximately 6.2 miles2nd Leg – approximately 6.9 milesParticipants will be responsible for their own transportation for the relay. The first leg runner will start at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The second runner leg will start at the Relay Transition Zone located at the course turn-around in Capitola Village. There will be plenty of parking at both locations.Suggested Relay Transportation Plan (Make it a true team experience!):Drive together in one car to the race start in Santa Cruz near the Beach Boardwalk.Drop off runner 1 at the start. Runner 2 proceeds to Capitola Village, parks and proceeds to the transition area near the beach.Runner 1 finishes the first leg to Capitola Village and transitions to runner 2 who begins the second leg back to Santa Cruz.Runner 1 picks up the parked car in Capitola Village and drives back to the finish area near the Beach Boardwalk.Runners can each carry a key to the car, or the keys can be checked with race staff near the transition area in Capitola Village.Detailed relay instructions will be sent via e-mail and will be available on our web site prior to the event.Captain must complete the registration and pay for all members at the time of registration. Each team is required to have 2 members. Relay participants must not complete the entire half marathon or marathon instead of the designated relay distance.The course is managed at a 6 hour time limit. Runners must maintain a 13:45 minute per mile pace as the course is picked up on a mile by mile rolling basis. If you are unable to run within the allotted time, you will be asked to move onto the sidewalk. Once you are on the sidewalk, you must follow all traffic laws deemed by the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz and City of Capitola. The course will be re-opened to traffic and aid stations may be closed.Start TimeAll races begin promptly at 7:00 am. The half marathon relay, half marathon and marathon events begin together.Aid StationsAid stations will be located approximately every two miles. Sport drinks and gel will be available at strategic course locations.

Packet Pick-Up / Beachfront ExpoSaturday, May 18, 2019Location: Capitola Village Beach Bandstand located at 110 Monterey Ave Capitola, CA 95010Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PMRegistered athletes will pick up their bib, timing chip and event shirt. Race registration will be available during packet pick-up.Directions to Packet Pick-Up:From Highway 1Exit Bay Ave / Porter Street, exit #437Turn onto Bay Ave toward Capitola BeachContinue on Bay Ave for approximately .5 milesTurn right at the Park Ave intersection before the railroad tracks into the “Village & Beach Parking Lot”Walk out of the parking area where you entered and proceed down the hill to the beach and bandstand.Sunday, May 19, 2019There is no formal race day bib pick-up. Bibs not mailed or picked up at the Saturday Expo will be brought to the start line race morning. The race starts at 7am sharp. Please arrive early and come to the event desk near the start. There will be an additional $10 fee for bibs picked up race morning.Surfer’s Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & RelaySunday, May 19, 2019 On Beach St. and the corner of Cliff St. across from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Arcade located at 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.7:00am sharp!The marathon, half marathon and relay events start together.

Directions to Start LineFrom Hwy 1 or Hwy 17Exit at Ocean Street heading southRight on San Lorenzo Blvd.Left on Riverside Ave.Right on 2nd StreetLeft on Cliff StLeft on Beach St.Enter Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk parking on leftSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk parking is $15 all daySanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk Parking MapAdditional ParkingDepot Park: 119 Center Street Santa CruzMetered parking in surrounding area.Free parking in surrounding area. Be sure to read parking signs posted in all areas since there are restrictions every day of the week.

Completing a marathon or half marathon is an awesome achievement. We encourage you to cheer on your friends or family and help them make it to the finish. Here are our suggestions:Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk start. The marathon and half marathon events begin together at 7:00 am sharp! Arrive early and watch the sun rise as the athletes stage. Once the gun goes off, you can move on to the next suggested stop, or walk to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf for breakfast. The runners will return after the first thirteen!Capitola turn around. Both events make their first turn through Capitola Village. Park above the village and walk down to check out the action.Half Marathon finish / Marathoners half way. The finish line for both events is located at Cowell’s Beach, a short walk from the start area and next to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Catch the action as the Half Marathon runners finish and Marathoners pass by toward the second half of their journey.Wilder Ranch State Park turn around. Marathon runners will make their final turn around on the bluff trail in Wilder. Cheer for them as they crest the twenty mile mark and head for home.Cowell’s Beach Marathon finish. Marathoners will return to Cowell’s Beach for their finish. Take in all of the drama as runners achieve their goal! There will be plenty of post race festivities for all to enjoy.