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Photo: Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0
Santa Cruz · United States

Cycling & running events in Santa Cruz, 2026

126events this year
Santa Cruz San Francisco 268Stockton 158Salinas 65Modesto 38Merced 30View all 126 events on map

126 races within 80 km of Santa Cruz

Road, trail, gravel, MTB — you name it, we've got it. Find something worth telling your friends about.

With over 85,000 events in 2026, we have the largest endurance event database on the planet — built to be the fastest way to find a race near you.

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A few races to know in Santa Cruz

We all need a goal — why not think big? Pick one and start training for it. Already happened this year? Find some practice races to build toward next year's edition.
Run·Road
Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Firecracker Run

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Firecracker Run begins and ends at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz on Independence Day morning. Participants can choose from three events: a hilly 10K, a flat 5K, and a Kids 1K Fun Run. The 10K is named the Thrill of the Hill. The 5K takes place entirely within the Harvey West Business Park, designed for speed, strollers, ADA access, and wheelchair users. The Kids 1K starts first, followed by the 10K and then the 5K, accommodating families and runners seeking fast times. The 10K route goes into Pogonip Park, ascends Spring Trail, crosses the UCSC meadow area, and loops back through westside neighborhoods to Harvey West Park. Following the run, attendees can enjoy burritos, Izzy's Ice, and awards. This race has been held for over forty years, is managed by volunteers, and directs all registration funds to local youth via beneficiaries and the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Foundation, including Safe Families for Children Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz County Hospice's Camp Erin, and high school scholarships. It also presents the Rod Caborn Spirit Award, honoring Rod Caborn's memory.

Road
Tri·Olympic
Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Triathlon

The Santa Cruz Triathlon begins with an ocean swim around the Santa Cruz Wharf, then sends athletes onto coastal roads and paths on the west side of town. This non-profit race in Santa Cruz, California, offers Sprint and International (Olympic-distance) options, plus relays, aquabike, aquathlon, and open-water swim entries. The main races start in the morning, with longer events going first and Sprint-distance races shortly after. It is open to a wide age range, from teenagers to older athletes, and the format suits both first-time triathletes and experienced racers. The course uses a soccer field for transition, then follows West Cliff Drive and Highway 1. The bike leg heads north toward Davenport, and the run returns along West Cliff to finish on Cowells Beach. The swim is sheltered by the wharf area, and the bike and run routes are largely closed, making the race easier to manage than a fully open-road triathlon. The event was formerly called the Santa Cruz Sentinel Triathlon. of its identity is local giving: it usually donates about $80,000 to $90,000 back into the Santa Cruz community, with proceeds supporting high school and college athletics, the UC Santa Cruz swim program, Cabrillo College Athletics, the Santa Cruz Track Club, and the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association. These same groups also help staff the course with volunteers.

Olympic
Tri·Sprint
Santa Cruz

Sandman Tri

The Sandman Tri is a Santa Cruz County triathlon held at Seacliff State Beach. The course includes a .75-mile swim, a 13-mile bike ride, and a 4-mile run. Established in 1985, it is one of the county's longest-running triathlons and is sanctioned by USAT. A duathlon and a team option are also available, with participation open to individuals aged 12 to 99. The swim route circles the S.S. Palo Alto Cement Ship. The bike course crosses the Aptos hills, and the run concludes at New Brighton Beach. Funds raised support local State Parks, lifeguard services, and the Junior Lifeguard program. Scholarships for underprivileged children are also funded by the proceeds. The event's organization is closely linked to the Santa Cruz State Lifeguard Association, which fosters water safety, education, teamwork, and leadership.

Sprint
About cycling & running in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Coastal Training

Running: Locals run Santa Cruz from redwood dirt to ocean air, and the best days feel like base miles with a view. Running Riot has 6am runs Monday through Friday and longer weekend runs in Santa Cruz. Fall Creek Unit gives runners 3-4 mile options that stay mostly flat and meandering. The Forest of Nisene Marks covers nearly 10,000 acres, and locals connect it to Land of the Medicine Buddha or Soquel Demonstration Forest when the legs want more. Wilder Ranch brings bluffs over the Pacific, exposed grassy hillside, and redwood forest singletrack. Santa Cruz Track Club keeps the race calendar honest with the Cross Country Challenge, while the Firecracker Run, Santa Cruz Trail Run, and San Lorenzo River Trail Run handle the anchor-event itch.

Cycling: Locals ride here a lot, but you need to be okay with climbing. Santa Cruz County Cycling Club (SCCCC) runs rides every Tuesday, Thursday evening, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the year. SCCCC A rides hit 40-80+ miles with at least 3000' of elevation gain, while B, C, and D rides keep other paces covered. West Cliff Drive gives cyclists a 3-mile coastal spin, and East Cliff Drive adds a 1-mile cliffside path. The Coastal Rail Trail is planned as a 32-mile multi-use path from Watsonville to Davenport. Alba Road, Jamison Creek, Big Basin, Empire Grade, and Zayente hold the climbs, while Tri Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Triathlon, and Sandman Tri keep race legs sharp.

Season: Spring gives you the cleanest training rhythm from March through May, and fall gives you another good block from September through November. Summer gets warmer, so locals stack coastal Z2 on West Cliff Drive, East Cliff Drive, and CA1 from West Side Santa Cruz, then hide in redwoods when intervals need shade. Winter brings rain, but it keeps the Forest of Nisene Marks, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and Fall Creek Unit cool and wet. Group rides continue year-round, and runners keep using the forest trails when the coast feels better for shorter aerobic work.

Upcoming

Coming soon in Santa Cruz

All races within 80 km, sorted by date. Click any event for the route, registration link, and past results.
SAT23MAY
Memorial Day Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
road1.6093K · 5K · 10K · Half·60 km from centre
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SAT23MAY
Run for Mental Health 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
road1.6093K · 5K · 10K · Half·60 km from centre
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SAT30MAY
Beer City Half™ San Jose
road1.6093K · 5K · 10K · Half·37 km from centre
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SAT30MAY
San Mateo PAL's 5K & 10K Run/Walk and Wellness Fair - 2026
road4.989K · 9.9779K·67 km from centre
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View all 126 Santa Cruz events →
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