Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · United States
5K races near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
24 races in 2026
next one in 1 days
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Race calendar
Upcoming 5K races near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
This week 5
3JUL
Run · road · 5K
Independence Day Dash 5k and Kids Run
Livermore · 75 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
Run for Chocolate 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
San Mateo · 60 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
July 4th Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
San Mateo · 60 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
Morgan Hill Freedom Run
Morgan Hill · 39 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
2026 Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Firecracker Run
Santa Cruz · 3 km away
+19 more 5K racesShow fewer ↓
JUL 3
11JUL
Run · road · 5K
Bloom Energy & Tarana Wireless Stars and Strides 5K-10K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run
San Jose · 39 km away
19JUL
Run · road · 5K
Rockaway Beach 5k
Pacifica · 78 km away
26JUL
Run · road · 5K
2026 Wharf to Wharf - Loyalty Status Verification
Capitola · 10 km away
AUG 8
1AUG
Run · road · 5K
Summer Breeze 2026
San Leandro · 78 km away
1AUG
Run · road · 5K
Tiki Trot 5K 2025
Pacifica · 78 km away
8AUG
Run · road · 5K
Mount Madonna Challenge
Gilroy · 34 km away
15AUG
Run · road · 5K
Beer City Half™ SLAM
Fremont · 64 km away
22AUG
Run · road · 5K
Race2Unravel
Gilroy · 43 km away
22AUG
Run · road · 5K
Steps4SMILEs 5k/10k Charity Race
Sunnyvale · 46 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
The Sloth Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN JOSE
San Mateo · 60 km away
30AUG
Run · road · 5K
Apple City 5k
Watsonville · 27 km away
SEP 8
5SEP
Run · road · 5K
Night Nation Run - San Jose
San Jose · 41 km away
12SEP
Run · road · 5K
Graniterock River Run
Hollister · 61 km away
12SEP
Run · road · 5K
LSA's Run Home
Los Gatos · 28 km away
12SEP
Run · road · 5K
LSA's Run Home 2026
Los Gatos · 28 km away
19SEP
Run · road · 5K
Half Moon Bay Beach Safety Run
Half Moon Bay · 63 km away
20SEP
Run · road · 5K
10th Annual SJVRC ONE MILE FOR ONE CHILD Charity Run 2026
San Jose · 40 km away
26SEP
Run · road · 5K
The 9th Annual Belmont Water Dog Run
Belmont · 61 km away
26SEP
Run · road · 5K
HERS Breast Cancer Foundation 5K and 10K
Fremont · 61 km away
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · 80 km
24 races mapped
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Recurring 5K races near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Rock 'n' Roll San Jose
Prepare for a high-energy racing weekend in the heart of Speed City, USA. This event is a Rock 'n' Roll San Jose experience, where the streets become a concert venue and race course. It's a weekend to run, rock, and celebrate, with race-day energy from start to finish.
Lace up for an ultra-fast course, known for being flat and built for speed, perfect for chasing personal bests. As you run through the streets, live music plays, turning every mile into a performance. It's a blend of athleticism and entertainment, ensuring a memorable race-day.
RAFT Weekend
California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside hosts its yearly homecoming, a valued time when the Otter community unites to honor connection, tradition, and pride. This event, RAFT Weekend, serves as a gathering for students, alumni, and friends, marking a key date in the university's schedule.
Among the activities, Monte's 5K provides a chance for a community run, set against the backdrop of this spirited weekend. Participants will find themselves in a festive atmosphere, experiencing the distinct OtterPride that characterizes the weekend's events and traditions.
Reentry Resource Center’s Rise Up and Run 5K
Reentry Resource Center’s Rise Up and Run 5K is an October 5K run in San Jose, California, based at Hellyer County Park - Cottonwood. The race is listed as a road event in Santa Clara County, with the park address given as 985 Hellyer Ave.
The start is at Hellyer County Park - Cottonwood, so runners should expect a straightforward 5 km park-based race rather than a long point-to-point route. Public listings do not yet give registration details, so anyone planning to enter should check the organizer’s pages before making plans.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Run
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Run sends runners onto the Coastal Trail with a pumpkin waiting for them at the end. It is a race weekend event in Half Moon Bay, California, tied to the Annual Art & Pumpkin Festival, with a Kid's Fun Run, 5K, 10K, and half marathon based around Hatch Elementary School and the Pacific-side trail. Senior Coastsiders hosts it, and the proceeds support programs for local older adults.
The route follows coastal paths overlooking the ocean, with rolling but generally fast, flat terrain that works for beginners, fun runners, and people chasing a personal best. The half marathon starts early and has a 3.5-hour cutoff, while the 5K and longer races include chip timing and finisher medals unless runners opt out. The festival side adds the Great Pumpkin Parade, live music, pie-eating contests, costume contests, giant pumpkin displays, and free admission on historic Main Street in the self-styled World Pumpkin Capital.
Fun Run San Mateo Rotary
The San Mateo Rotary hosts a Halloween-themed 5K and 10K run on flat paved paths in Seal Point Park, San Mateo. Both distances utilize the park setting near 1901 J Hart Clinton Drive.
The event includes kid-focused activities alongside the main runs, such as a 50-yard dash where children receive medals. Runners also receive a goody bag, and the event features raffle prizes, giving it the feel of a local community run rather than a competitive road race.
Fremont Run 4 Education
Santa Cruz Marathon
The Santa Cruz Marathon is a coastal race series held in Santa Cruz, California. Its routes wind along the beach, bluffs, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Participants begin near the historic boardwalk, proceed through seaside streets towards Capitola Village, and then return to Santa Cruz for a finish adjacent to the sand.
The half marathon follows a southbound out-and-back course through coastal neighborhoods and Capitola. Marathon participants continue further, incorporating the rugged trails and ocean vistas of Wilder Ranch State Park. The race offers marked courses, hydration stations, on-route support, medals, and refreshments at the finish line.
CUHSD ED Foundation: HERO 5K
3rd Annual Celebration Of Life 5K/Kids Run/Walk
The third annual Celebration Of Life 5K/Kids Run/Walk features a 5K run or walk and a short kids race. In-person registration opens at 8:00 AM Pacific time, the 5K starts at 9:00 AM, and the kids race follows at 10:00 AM.
The kids race is 400 meters for children 12 and under, with every participant receiving a special prize. The 5K entry includes a shirt and medal, and awards go to the top three overall male and female finishers. Live Mariachi music is performed mid-morning, followed by activities and awards before midday.
Diwali Fun Run + Festival
The Diwali Fun Run + Festival is an evening event at the Community Center on Old Canyon Road in Fremont, California. It offers timed 5K and 10K races, plus a Festival Only option. The event is designed for families, runners, and walkers, with registration open to a wide age range, from young children to older adults.
The races are straightforward: select the 5K or 10K, complete it by running or walking, and receive a medal upon finishing. The festival includes catered food, arts and crafts, a selfie station, music for dancing, light-up bracelets, and complimentary henna tattoos for attendees. Those not racing can still enjoy the food and activities. The event also supports Purrific Rescue through fundraising.
Santa Cruz Turkey Trot
The Santa Cruz Turkey Trot starts and finishes on Delaware Street by the back entrance to Natural Bridges State Park. Race headquarters are at Natural Bridges Drive and Delaware Avenue. The event features a 10K, 5K, and kids 1K, all on flat, fast out-and-back courses near the coast.
The route goes through Natural Bridges State Park and heads toward West Cliff, offering runners ocean views on a straightforward course. The Santa Cruz Track Club provides signature finisher socks to all 5K and 10K finishers, and the top three overall runners receive prizes. Bib pickup is available at Santa Cruz Running Company before race day, with race-morning pickup and registration also offered.
12th Annual Tri-Valley Turkey Burn
The Tri-Valley Turkey Burn is a Thanksgiving morning 5K and 10K run, walk, or stroll held at Ken Mercer Sports Park in Pleasanton, California. It is designed for families, casual walkers, runners, strollers, and leashed dogs, with affordable registration fees for adults, youth, and children under 10.
The event embraces the holiday spirit: participants can create their own "I am thankful for..." race bib, coffee is available before the start, and snacks are provided afterward. A pre-race warm-up is offered, along with sponsor and nonprofit booths. Optional Turkey Burn apparel, including shirts, hats, socks, and sunglasses, is available for purchase, and all participants receive a finisher medal.
Looking for something else near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Other races in the next 90 days
JUL 361 km away
cycling
Bike Hut Classic
JUL 1973 km away
triathlon
East Bay Kids Triathlon
AUG 138 km away
cycling
Kelyn Akuna Classic
AUG 95 km away
triathlon
Tri Santa Cruz
AUG 1562 km away
cycling
MSBS Fremont - Session 3
AUG 2314 km away
triathlon
Sandman Tri
SEP 138 km away
triathlon
IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz
SEP 2647 km away
cycling
Infestation Gravel ($80)
About 5K races in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Santa Cruz Coastal Training
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA hosts 48 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
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.
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.
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.