Marathon races near Scotts Valley

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.

The Crystal Springs Trail Run begins at Huddart Park in Woodside, California, leading runners into the wooded paths surrounding King’s Mountain and Bear Gulch. This winter trail race offers distances from a 5-mile run to an ultramarathon, including a half marathon, 22 miles, a marathon, and a 50K. A free 50-yard dash is also available for children aged 6 and under. Established in 2006, the event does not offer prize money, fostering a community atmosphere rather than a professional competition. The course is predominantly unpaved, with approximately 95% of the route on dirt trails, featuring a total elevation gain of 4,810 feet. Participants will traverse redwood forests and areas dense with ferns. The organizers emphasize trail etiquette, requesting runners announce passes, remain on marked paths to avoid poison oak, and refrain from using headphones on single-track sections, road crossings, aid stations, and near the finish line. Bibs indicate each runner's chosen distance, and participants can change their race distance via email or during check-in.

The Horseshoe Lake Trail Run is a 13.0-mile trail half marathon situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It begins and concludes at the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot, located on the west side of Skyline Boulevard. The event takes place on a Sunday, with check-in commencing at 8 am and the race starting at 9 am in the horse trailer lot. The race's informal names offer insight into its character: “There’s always one more hill half marathon” and “Steve Patt’s birthday half marathon.” The course navigates both single-track trails and fireroads, passing through shaded woodlands, open hillsides, and featuring rolling ascents totaling 2,535 feet of elevation gain. Participants will travel northwest along the Bay Area Ridge Trail towards Rapley Ranch Road, descend from the ridge in the direction of the Pacific, ascend once more, and conclude with a clockwise circuit around Cathedral Hill. Proceeds from the entry fee support The Hatuey Project, an organization that supplies medicine to Cuban children battling cancer, with the race director matching each entry-fee donation.