Wharf to Wharf Race
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Wharf to Wharf Race
The Wharf to Wharf Race is a timed, in-person road race held on a scenic six-mile course along seaside streets in Santa Cruz and Capitola. The course runs on gently rolling hills with ocean views; mile markers are posted and splits are called at each mile. The finish is located at Wharf Road by the Capitola Wharf.
Course notes describe each mile: the opening mile is relatively flat on Portola Drive through Santa Cruz neighborhoods; the route passes Twin Lakes Beach and the Harbor area, wraps around Lake Avenue, then follows oceanfront streets past Pleasure Point and other surf spots before a downhill final mile to the finish. For safety, the course is closed to vehicular traffic and to bicycles, skateboards, wheeled devices and pets. Participants must maintain a 17 minute per mile minimum pace.
Race operations include a fenced start area with numbered and color coded corrals, volunteer staff at corral entrances, restroom access near the start, and no gear check at the start. Joggers with strollers are not permitted in the start corrals. Bibs include a timing chip; the chip records official gun to finish times.
Parking and transport are organized into drop off, start area parking in Santa Cruz, and finish area parking in Capitola, with pre race and post race shuttles available using the bib as a shuttle pass. Registration is limited to 16,000 in person entrants, non refundable, and the event offers a virtual option with mailed bibs and swag and a designated virtual race week. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
