Inaugural event
Monterey Ekiden
at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Teams of four. One tasuki. Run at twilight.
The Monterey Ekiden is a twilight team relay, on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
What is Ekiden?
An ekiden is a long-distance relay that has been part of Japanese culture since 1917. Instead of a baton, each runner wears a cloth sash called a tasuki and hands it to the next teammate at the exchange. The sash carries the team's effort from one leg to the next. The format was built around collective effort over individual glory.
The relay
Four runners, one team, one 2.2 mile lap each, 8.8 miles in all. At every exchange you hand off the tasuki, and the next leg carries it on.
Why we run
Monterey and Nanao, Japan, have been sister cities for thirty years. This race supports a new cross-country exchange built on that bond. Students from Nanao visit Monterey in August, and the Monterey High team travels to Nanao in October. They train together, stay in each other's towns, and build friendships that cross language barriers and oceans. We are funding this project so a student's financial situation is never the barrier. A place is earned through merit and commitment, not through what a family can afford. In a region with deep Japanese roots, an ekiden is a fitting way to honor that history and open the door for the next group of students.
Proceeds benefit the Wasshoi Foundation and the Monterey High School Cross Country Exchange Boosters.
Watch the Course Flyover
A 3D run-through of the Laguna Seca course. flyover.racemob.com/monterey-ekiden
Race day
2:00 to 5:00 PM Cultural Faire & Fitness Expo
Open to all
2:00 to 4:30 PM Packet pickup
4:15 PM Taiko by Watsonville Taiko
5:00 PM Race start, twilight
After Japanese street food, beer garden, sunset DJ set
The finish line opens into a sunset celebration.
Every runner takes home a tenugui
A commemorative tenugui, the Japanese cotton hand towel, for every finisher. Yours to keep from the Monterey Ekiden.
How to register
One person registers as team captain and creates the team, then invites three teammates who join free.
Team entry is $171.90 for the team, about $43 a runner, all in. Price rises to $182.55 race week.
Solo runners are welcome, though the spirit of ekiden is the team.
New to ekiden, or a runner or two short? Tell us and we will help you find a team.
Kids 10 and older are welcome.
Feeling competitive? During registration your team can challenge another team for bonus raffle entries and bragging rights.
Create a team. Challenge another.
Teachers, coworkers, families, running clubs, restaurants, alumni groups, Aquarium volunteers, CHOMP nurses, or completely ridiculous costume teams are all encouraged. During registration, teams may issue an official challenge to another team in the race. Winning challenge teams receive bonus raffle entries and eternal bragging rights.
Good to know
Timing: chip timing.
Parking: on site, free.
Weather: rain or shine.
Cutoff: off the track by 7:00 PM. About two hours for the 8.8 mile relay, roughly a 13.5 minute mile across your four runners.
Walkers: welcome within the time limit. Mix walkers and runners to give your team ample time.
Refunds: none; transfers OK.
Pets and strollers: no dogs, and strollers are discouraged due to a steep downhill on the course.
Organized by
Peter Jordan
Race Director and Head Cross Country Coach, Monterey High School
Peter Jordan retired in 2017 after thirty years in education, then walked the 950-mile pilgrimage of Shikoku's 88 sacred temples. He is a Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Head Cross Country Coach at Monterey High, and helps lead the Monterey/Nanao Exchange Project.
Hosted by
Big Sur International Marathon
Sponsor
Wasshoi Foundation
Founding partner
Held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
See the full story and watch the course flyover at montereyekiden.com
The Loyalty Registration window is from Wednesday, March 25th at 7am until Monday, March 30th at 5pm. If eligible, you will have an access code emailed to you on March 25th at 7am when registration opens. Your code does not guarantee or reserve you a space. However, those eligible can register with their code any time during that window. While your code will only work 1 times, you are allowed to register up to (5) participants under one transaction using the code.
Who is considered Loyal?
OR
How do I verify my Loyalty Status?
Click "VERIFY LOYALTY STATUS" button below.
Type in your first and last name.
If you are eligible, your name will appear with the words: "You are eligible."
If you are not eligible, your name will NOT appear and you will see the words:
"Your name or email was not found on the eligible list, if you feel this is in error please click "DISPUTE FORM" on right side of page."
What are the next steps if I am eligible for Loyalty Status?
Hang tight! Loyalty Registration will not open until Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:00am PDT.
If you are eligible, you will be emailed a unique access code on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Those eligible who received their code will have until Monday, March 30th at 5:00pm PDT to use their code to register.
Why might my name not appear in the database if I meet the criteria?
Our Loyalty database requires an exact match of your first name, last name and email address in 6 of 10 Wharf to Wharf registrations. Your name might not appear if:
You changed your last name.
You spelled your name wrong during registration.
You registered under a nickname.
You registered under different email addresses.
Please fill out our Dispute Form to resolve the issue. Dispute Forms must be submitted by March 22nd at 11:59pm PDT.
Still have questions?
Please email [email protected].
The 5th annual Strawberry Jam 1K/5K Fun Run/Walk coordinated by the Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services will kick-off the Watsonville Strawberry Festival on Saturday August 1, 2026. The Jam begins and ends at the temporary location, Landmark Elementary School in Watsonville while Ramsay Park is being renovated. This is an easy and fun course that includes Watsonville's beautiful slough system with an out and back section on Ohlone Parkway. See photo of course. No dogs please, but families and strollers are welcome. Register on Active.com. Races will be coordinated by the Santa Cruz Track Club.
The Jam is being held in conjunction with The Watsonville Strawberry Festival, held on Saturday, August 1, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in historic downtown Watsonville. https://www.watsonville.gov/1117/Watsonville-Strawberry-Festival
Contact: [email protected] for any questions.
Event details and schedule
Check-in on race day begins at 6:45 am at Landmark Elementary School parking lot. The Kids 1K Fun Run/Walk begins promptly at 7:45 am. Parents are welcome to join and guide their kids through the 1K run. The 5k Fun Run/Walk will follow for those of ages 12+ starting at 8am. There will be portable restrooms and water stations available on day of race. Look out for designated guides who will be stationed at various points throughout the race to ensure the designated course is easy to follow. Costumes are encouraged!!
Parking:
There is limited parking at Landmark Elementary School. Experienced Runners are encouraged to warm up by parking at the Ramsay Park Nature Center Parking Lot at on HARKINS SLOUGH ROAD and warming up for .5 miles on the path to race. There will be an attentent at the parking lot to help direct runners. Please see map for pathway from Nature Center to Landmark Elementary School.
Registration Fees are as follows:
Kids 1K (Ages 12 and under): $10
5K (Ages 12+):
$40 until 07/30/2026
$45 After 7/30 and Day of Event for Cash and Card Payments
Prizes:
Ribbons will be awarded to top 2 in each category.
Strawberry-themed socks will be given to all pre-registrants over age 12. Socks may be available on race day but are not guaranteed for day-of-race registrants.
Divisions:
Male and Felmale Categories
19 and Under
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
Contact: [email protected].
parkrun is such a simple concept: turn up every Saturday and volunteer, walk, jog or run 5k.
parkrun is such a simple concept: turn up every Saturday and volunteer, walk, jog or run 5k.