Run down shaded Christmas Tree Lane in July! This is the same course as the Jingle Bell Run which starts and ends near Palm on Van Ness! 10 point race in the Ca Classic Runner of the Year Series!
Special Rate! Children 9 and under receives discounted entry fee automatically during registration.
JOIN THE JOURNEY!
Join us for a 5k that supports the growth and development of young adults! We’re raising funds to provide essential resources like curriculum materials, books, and supplies for our Discipleship School. Our aim is to empower these individuals on a transformative journey to discover their purpose and make a meaningful impact in all areas of their lives. By participating in this race, you’re investing in the next generation’s potential to live with clarity, intention, and a strong sense of identity.
Run the Coast. Honor a Legacy. Experience the Central Coast at its Best!
Join us on Saturday, July 18, 2026, for the 56th annual Brian Waterbury Memorial Rock to Pier Fun Run and the 12th annual Rock’n Around the Pier Half Marathon, starting at 8:00 AM.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Central Coast, both events begin at Morro Rock and take runners along the shoreline for an unforgettable beach-running experience.
Event Options
Rock to Pier Fun Run (6 miles)
Run from Morro Rock to the iconic Cayucos Pier, finishing right at the pier. This beach run is open to all ages and abilities—perfect for seasoned runners and first-timers alike.
Rock’n Around the Pier Half Marathon
A challenging and scenic out-and-back course starting at Morro Rock, heading to the Cayucos Pier, and returning south. At mile 10.5, runners will detour through Cloisters Park before finishing back at Morro Rock.
Course closes at 12:00 PM.
Race Day Details
Both events start at 8:00 AM
Water/Aid Stations throughout course!
Expect wet shoes—this is a true beach run!
Post-race breakfast and awards at Morro Rock
Bus transportation provided from Cayucos Pier back to Morro Rock for Rock to Pier participants
Parking is limited in Cayucos; ample parking available at Morro Rock (arrive early!)
Extras & Notes
Limited shirt sizes available (some sizes sold out)
Dogs are not allowed on the course due to Snowy Plover nesting season
Come celebrate tradition, community, and coastal beauty in one of California’s most unique running events. Whether you’re racing for a personal best or soaking in the scenery, this is a run you won’t forget!
11TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR OUR MIGUEL REYES ELITE/OPEN 5K!! COME AND JOIN US AT THIS FUN, COMPETITIVE race in memory of a great person, runner and friend Miguel Reyes from Fresno, who passed away in 2015. Join his family, co-workers and friends participate in this 5K Run/Walk! This local race is considered "THE FASTEST, MOST COMPETITIVE RACE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY". We've had several Olympians who have joined us in the past and this year we are again expecting it to be a great running event.
RACE AMENITIES:
$16,000 CASH AWARDS for top finishers (top 5 male/female overall, master runners, breaking course records...)
30 pt Central Valley Runner of the Year event!
DRI FIT SINGLET SHIRT (Must be registered before July 15th)
UNIQUE MEDALS
FREE TACOS and Mexican "AGUAS FRESCAS", ICE CREAM!
ATHENA (>185lbs) & CLYDESDALE (>225lbs) CATEGORIES
TROPHY AWARDS FOR AGE GROUP CATEGORIES
PINT GLASSES (must be registered by 07/15)
CHIP TIMING EVENT
CIF HS CROSS COUNTRY CERTIFIED COURSE!
KIDS RACES including a 10 meter "run" for kids under 1 year old
$300 cash award for team with most participants
Extra medal for those doing Reyes Running series
MUSIC, RAFFLES, FUN!!
$16,000 CASH AWARDS!!!
TOP 5 OVERALL (MEN/WOMEN)
1st ($2000)
2nd ($1500)
3rd ($1000)
4th ($850)
5th ($500)
Top 5 overall excluded from age group divisions
MILE MARK CHALLEGE!
$500 for the FIRST MALE/FEMALE to pass the MILE MARK!
BONUS COURSE RECORD!
$2,000 for the FIRST MALE/FEMALE to break our COURSE RECORDS: 14:06 Evert Silva (2024), 16:05 Alma Delia Cortes (2022)
EXTRA BONUS TIME!
$1,000 for the FIRST MALE to break 14:00 and FIRST FEMALE to break 16:00.
TOP 3 MALE/FEMALE MASTERS (40+ YRS OLD)
1ST- $500
2ND- $250
3RD- $100
$500 BONUS for first male/female MASTER (40+ yr old) to break our meet records of 15:42 (Juan Luis Barrios, 2023) and 17:26 (Argentina Valdepenas, 2024)!!
Top 3 masters excluded from age group divisions. Top 3 masters are eligible for overall awards!
TOP 3 AGE GROUP (men & women)
Very unique TROPHIES!! (<29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) MS, HS, COLLEGE.
Top 3 Clydesdale (man >225lbs) and Athena (woman >185 lbs) get UNIQUE TROPHIES!
Students (Middle/High School/College) are NOT eligible for cash awards!
Kids Races!!!! 8:00 am - ages 7-10 years, 400 meters. 8:05 am - ages 4-5 years, 200 meters.
8:10 am ages 3-4 years, 100 meters. 8:15 am - ages 1-2 years, 50 meters 8:20 am
under 1 year, 10 meters. All kids get medals, shirt and tacos!!
TOP 3 KIDS ON EACH RACE (BOYS/GIRLS) GET TROPHIES!
Packet Pickup:
Friday, July 24th (3:00-5:00pm).
Fleet Feet, 9447 North Ft. Washington Road #106, Fresno.
Race Day Registration & Packet Pickup: Mt. View Shelter Woodward Park, beginning
at 5:45 am until 6:45am.
Information: [email protected]
Race Director: Jesus Campos
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 Fair & 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 rally towel
Every runner gets a commemorative rally towel, similar to a traditional Japanese tenugui, to take home from the day
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