Santa Cruz Marathon
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Event overview
The Santa Cruz Marathon is an inaugural road and trail running event in Santa Cruz, California, scheduled for Oct 25, 2026. The event offers three race distances and is presented as the first running of this event.
Distances
- Marathon
- Half marathon
- 5K
Course and features
The course begins along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and runs south through seaside streets and Capitola Village before returning toward Santa Cruz for a beachside finish. Marathon entrants continue north onto the rugged trails and ocean vistas of Wilder Ranch State Park. The route passes bluffs, surf spots, landmark areas, and seaside towns.
The event materials note local natural and cultural elements along the route, including ocean views, redwoods, and monarchs, and reference more than 100 years of local history. The 2026 event will include an exclusive inaugural medal and a race performance tee. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
