Quick Take
Anticipate heavy traffic and local road closures this Sunday for the inaugural Santa Cruz Marathon. From Wilder Ranch State Park to Capitola Village, here are the locations and times to look out for as you plan your route.
An estimated 4,000 participants will flock toward the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and race along the coastline on Sunday for the inaugural Santa Cruz Marathon.
A side effect of the event is several planned road closures throughout the course, lasting until festivities conclude and roads are clear. These will be conducted on a rolling basis, with all affected roads expected to reopen by noon as the final runners cross the finish line. Traffic control personnel will also direct residents across the course as soon as it is safe to do so.
The affected roads and hours are:
- Beach Street: Pacific Avenue, Cowell Beach and Boardwalk area — This is the start line; heavy traffic is expected. The closure will begin at 5 a.m and end at 9 a.m.
- East Cliff Drive: Ocean Street to 41st Avenue — Closes at 6:45 a.m and reopens at 11:30 a.m.
- Opal Cliff Drive: 41st Avenue to Capitola Village — Closes at 7 a.m. and reopens at 10 a.m.
- Capitola Village: Cliff Drive and Esplanade turnaround — Closes at 7 a.m and reopens at 9:30 a.m.
West Cliff Drive (Beach Street to Natural Bridges State Beach) and Wilder Ranch (coastal trail access and Highway 1 crossing) are part of the marathon course only, with no road impacts planned.
The Santa Cruz Marathon features three races — a marathon (26.2 miles), a half-marathon (13.1 miles), and a 5K (3.1 miles). All three races have sold out and the 2027 waitlist is already accepting registrants.
Each course will differ slightly, though all have a coastal component. Marathoners are the only group that will pass through Wilder Ranch State Park; half-marathoners can expect sweeping ocean views as they pass along East Cliff Drive and through Pleasure Point. The 5K has the most compact map and will cross the San Lorenzo River.
All three routes will end at Cowell Beach, where a celebratory festival will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For residents heading out Sunday morning, anticipate delays and leave extra time to navigate closures. For those cheering from the sidelines, Cowell Beach will offer a spot to watch competitors finish and join the excitement.
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