12 running, triathlon, aquabike, and other events in Santa Cruz, California

Come play at of one of the most fun and scenic events on the west coast. This race has a sprint and international (Olympic) distance triathlon, with relays, aquathalon and aquabike categories for both races. Clydesdale and Athena triathlon categories are available.

There is a special, non-competitive Family & Friends wave for people who are new to triathlon or just want to race with family and friends regardless of age or gender.

Special youth pricing is available for youth 12-17 and seniors 70+ for all individual distances. Contact us for a discount for an all youth/senior relay team.

Triathlon club disounts available. If your Tri Club does not have a code, have a club officer contact us.

Sheltered swim and flat bike and run course make this a perfect place for your first race or a PR. Voted one of the best late season triathlons in the country. The bike ride is a totally closed course and both the bike and run courses follow the coastline to create one of the most scenic races around! (Pending approval of the 2025 bike course)

Stick around and play for a day at the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or visit the Surfer Museum or National Marine Sanctuary Center.

Participants will receive a finisher medal and custom t-shirt as part of their registration, plus a post race lunch and awards.

LITTLE WHARF REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

On September 26, 2026, Wharf to Wharf Race, Inc. is producing the 8th Running of the Little Wharf 3-Miler as a part of the Capitola Beach Festival weekend. The festival will kick off on Saturday morning with a point-to-point family fun run/walk starting at the East Cliff Village Shopping Center and running three miles along the Santa Cruz coastline, before finishing in the Capitola Esplanade.

• When: September 26, 2026

• Distance/Location: 3 miles point to point from Santa Cruz to Capitola (East Cliff Village Shopping Center to Capitola Esplanade).

• What do you get? All race finishers get a Little Wharf Finishers Medal, Personalized Bib Number, an Event Bag, PATH water bottle, and a cookie from Pacific Cookie Company.

The Santa Cruz Triathlon is a popular, scenic, non-profit race offering Sprint and International (Olympic) distances, plus relays, aquabike, and an aquathlon option, known for its coastal course along West Cliff Drive and along Highway 1. Its an ocean swim around the iconic Santa Cruz Wharf, a spacious transition area on a soccer field, then riding out along West Cliff and Highway 1 to the quaint town of Davenport and back. Then finish with a beautiful run along West Cliff and finish on Cowells Beach.

This is great for beginners and veterans alike, with proceeds funding local high school and college athletics in Santa Cruz County. It's a long-running event that donates significantly to youth sports, featuring a sheltered ocean swim and largely closed-course bike and run, creating a fun, community-focused event.

2025 Finisher Photos can be found here. Thanks for a great race!

Flat, fast out and back courses that begin & end at the back entrance of Natural Bridges State Park. Run through the state park and then out to West Cliff for some spectacular ocean views!

10k, 5k, and kids 1k all offered.

Signature Santa Cruz Track Club finisher socks for all 5k and 10k finishers.

Prizes for top three overall.

Bib pickup at Santa Cruz Running Company (1664 Soquel Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95065) Friday, 11/21 from 2:00-5:30pm. We strongly encourage you to stop by so you don't have to wait in line race day morning.

10% off at Santa Cruz Running Company at packet pickup.

Race day registration is available starting at 7:00 on race day morning. Race headquarters will be at the intersection of Natural Bridges Drive and Delaware Ave.

All race bib pickup is also at 7:00am race day morning—looking forward to seeing you there!