Little Wharf 3-Miler
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Little Wharf 3-Miler : Santa Cruz to Capitola
The Little Wharf 3-mile race is a coastal point-to-point run from the East Cliff Village Shopping Center in Santa Cruz to the Capitola Esplanade in Capitola. The course is described as net downhill and follows the final miles of the Wharf to Wharf corridor along the ocean.
The route passes several local beaches and landmarks. The first mile is net downhill with rolling hills along the ocean, passing Blacks Beach, Sunny Cove Beach, and Moe’s Beach near Corcoran Lagoon before reaching 26th Beach. Mile two begins with a small hill then runs mostly flat along East Cliff Drive at Pleasure Point. The final mile moves through seaside streets with a downhill past Capitola Wharf into the Esplanade.
Safety and on-course services are provided. The course is closed to vehicular traffic and to skateboards, bikes, wagons, wheelbarrows, roller skates or blades and baby jogger strollers; pets are prohibited. Mile posts are marked and splits are called at each mile. All participants must maintain a 20 minute per mile pace. Emergency medical services patrol the course and are stationed at the finish.
Logistics include Friday packet pickup at Fleet Feet Aptos or mailed bib and hat options, complimentary pre-race shuttles from Capitola Mall to the start, and post-race shuttles back to the mall. One water station is located around 1.5 miles and water is also available at the finish. Finishers receive food, a finisher medal, a Capitola Beach Bag, a refillable PATH water bottle and a cookie. Results and photos are posted online after the event. A virtual option is offered with specific transfer rules. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
