More than 16,000 runners took part in the 54th annual Wharf to Wharf Race on Sunday, making their way along the iconic 6-mile course from Live Oak to the Santa Cruz Harbor to Capitola under near-perfect weather conditions.
The 54th annual Wharf to Wharf Race brought more than 16,000 runners to the Santa Cruz County coastline Sunday morning, continuing one of the region’s most cherished summer traditions.
Over 16,000 people line up before the start of this years Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzAnticipation before the start of the 6-mile Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzRacers wave to the camera before the start of this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race, which started on Portola Road in Captiola. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzA racer starts his watch as he crosses the starting line in Capitola during the 2026 Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The six-mile race began at Portola Drive and 30th Avenue. From there, runners followed the iconic coastal route through Pleasure Point before finishing at Capitola Village, where thousands of spectators lined the streets to cheer them on.
Runners round a turn leading into Capitola Village during this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzA Wharf to Wharf competitor passes the Capitola Wharf on a lightly foggy Sunday morning. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzRunners make it past the final turn before crossing the finish line at Capitola Village. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Live bands, creative costumes and near-perfect weather added to the festive atmosphere, transforming the race into a celebration of community as much as competition. Since its founding in 1973, Wharf to Wharf has grown into one of California’s premier road races, attracting participants from across the state and beyond while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for Santa Cruz County youth organizations.
Santa Cruz’s own Krazy George cheered on the racers at this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzAlyssa Block from Lindsay, in Tulare County, and Hannah Benoit Bucher from Washington sprint to make it across the finish line. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzHundreds of people gathered at Capitola Village to cheeron the runners competing in this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzYoung and old competed in this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzArturs Medveds from Rancho Cucamonga won this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race with the time of 27:21. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzPaige Wood from Flagstaff, Arizona, was the first woman to cross the finish line in this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzA team from San Francisco celebrate at Capitola Village after finishing the 6-mile long Wharf to Wharf Race. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzFourth place finisher Foster Wilfong gasps for breath before reaching the finish line. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzRunners make it past the final turn before crossing the finish line at Capitola Village. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa CruzA competitor sprints towards the finish line during this year’s Wharf to Wharf Race in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Kevin Painchaud is an international award-winning photojournalist. He has shot for various publications for the past 30 years, appearing on sites nationwide, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, The...
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