Santa Cruz Track Club Cross Country Challenge 2026

The Santa Cruz Track Club Cross Country Challenge covers 4.15 miles on the upper UC Santa Cruz campus. The start and finish are in the open meadow above the UCSC Firestation on Chinquapin Road. Separate women’s, men’s masters, and men’s open races occur throughout the morning. This event is part of the Pacific Association-USATF cross country Grand Prix series, attracting serious competitors. The course consists of two loops on UCSC fire roads, creating a compact layout. Parking requires planning, as nearby spots fill rapidly. The East Remote Parking Lot on Hagar Drive is approximately a mile from registration. The Santa Cruz Track Club, which organizes the race, has members ranging from youth to masters, and from beginners to national- and Olympic-level athletes in disciplines including track, road, race walking, triathlon, and ultra-distance running.