Santa Cruz Triathlon

• Event Shirt
• Event Cap
• Pre-Race Coffee
• Post-Race Food
• Custom Finishers Medal with bottle opener

Olympic Distance - 1500m SWIM / 40K BIKE / 10K RUN

Swim - The swim corral will be located on Main Beach in front of the Boardwalk bandstand. Swimmers will start in waves, heading clockwise around the Wharf and exiting the water at Cowell Beach. From there, swimmers run through the parking lot, across the street and up a paved path to the transition area. Volunteers will guide racers. In the event of extreme fog delays, an alternate swim course that parallels Main Beach will be utilized.

Bike
Start:

• Exit transition and head up Washington Street Extension, across train trestle onto West Cliff Drive
• Continue on West Cliff drive which turns into Swanton Boulevard
• Left Delaware Street
• Right on Natural Bridges Drive.
• Right on Mission Street Extension and a quick Left on Western Drive
• Left onto Highway 1 and ride out to Davenport

In Davenport:

• Right on Davenport Avenue
• Left on Marine View Avenue
• Left at the top of the hill on Marine View Avenue to return to Highway 1 (look for volunteers)
• Left on Highway 1 all the way back to Santa Cruz

In return to Santa Cruz:

• Right onto the Schaffer Road and quick left onto Mission Street Extension
• Right ­onto Natural Bridges Drive
• Left onto Delaware Avenue
• Right onto Swanton Boulevard which turns into West Cliff Drive
• Stay left on Washington Street Extension (over the train trestle) and back down the hill to transition.
• Watch for dismount area just before the base of the hill!
• Go into the first driveway of the transition area

Run Course - The Run Out section from transition is on the path that goes under the train trestle. The turnaround is about .2 miles before Delaware Ave. Note: The Swim In and the Run Out both follow the path at the back of the park and go under the train trestle, avoiding the street traffic on Pacific Avenue. The Bike In and Out go on the road overpass, above the train tracks. Any course changes and details will be covered in the mandatory pre-race meeting on the main beach at Lifeguard Tower #3 at 7:45 am.​

Sprint Distance - 750m SWIM / 20K BIKE / 5K mile RUN

Swim - The swim corral will be located on Cowell Beach in front of the Dream Inn. Swimmers will start in two waves beginning at 9:30 a.m., heading clockwise around the three buoys and exit the water at Cowell Beach. From there, swimmers run through the parking lot, across the street and up a paved path to the transition area. Volunteers will guide racers. The swim start time could be impacted if an extreme fog delay slows the start of the Olympic swim.

Bike - Two loops of West Cliff Drive

• The bike course is two loops on West Cliff Drive.
• Exit transition and head up Washington Street Extension across train trestle onto West Cliff Drive.
• Continue on West Cliff Drive to turnaround.
• Turnaround on West Cliff Drive at Cowell Street for Loop #2
• Return on West Cliff Drive to Cowell Street turnaround.
• Complete second loop.
• Stay left on Washington Street Extension (over the train trestle) and back down the hill to transition.
• Watch for dismount area just before the base of the hill!
• Go into the first driveway of the transition area.

Run - The Run Out section from transition is on the path that goes under the train trestle. The turnaround at David Way on West Cliff Drive. Note: The Swim In and the Run Out both follow the path at the back of the park and go under the train trestle, avoiding the street traffic on Pacific Avenue. The Bike In and Out still go on the road overpass, above the train tracks.

Aquabike - 1500m swim, 40K bike

Aquathlon - 750m swim, 5K run

Open water swim - 1500m swim

6 a.m. – Transition area opens for Olympic racers, including Open Water Swim, Aquabike, Athena/Clydesdale and Relay. Check-in and body numbering begins. Be sure to arrive at least one hour prior to race start in order to have mandatory body marking, transition equipment set up and attend mandatory pre-beach meeting.

7:45 a.m. – Final instruction and mandatory race meeting for all Olympic race participants on Main Beach by Lifeguard Tower #3.

8 a.m. – Transition area opens for Sprint racers. Check-in and body numbering begins. Be sure to arrive at least one hour prior to race start in order to have mandatory body marking, transition equipment set up and attend mandatory pre-beach meeting.

8-8:30 a.m. – Olympic swim waves starts, including Open Water Swim, Aquabike, Athena/Clydesdale and Relay.

9:15 a.m. – Final instruction and mandatory race meeting for all Sprint and Sprint Aquathlon race participants on Cowell Beach below the Dream Inn.

9:30 a.m. – Olympic swim course closes; Sprint swim starts.

11:30 a.m. – Olympic awards at Depot Park

11:40 a.m. – Sprint awards at Depot Park

12 p.m. – Bike course closes.

12:30 p.m. – Run course closes.

1 p.m. – Transition area closes. ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED BY THIS TIME. AREA WILL NOT BE SECURE. ALL ITEMS LEFT IN THE AREA WILL BE REMOVED.

The Santa Cruz Triathlon starts at Depot Park, 119 Center St., and finishes at nearby Dream Inn, 175 W. Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, CA. The transition area is located at Depot Park.

Parking

You can park in the neighborhood surrounding the transition area. The streets immediately surrounding the finish area will be closed. These are Gharkey, Centennial, Laguna, West Cliff Dr. between Bay and Gharkey and Bay Street between West Cliff and Laguna. Please try and be quiet when parking in this residential area, we want to be able to stage this event for many years. The nearby Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has several public lots and the daily parking fee is $10. If you park in a spot with a city meter you should note that parking meters are enforced on Sundays so plan accordingly.

Race Day Directions to Depot Park, 119 Center St.

From Hwy 1 or Hwy 17
Exit at Ocean Street heading south
Right onto Broadway
Left onto Center Street
Find parking in adjacent neighborhoods; pay attention to parking meters.

Race Day Directions to Boardwalk parking, 400 Beach St.

From Hwy 1 or Hwy 17
Exit at Ocean Street heading south
Right on San Lorenzo Blvd.
Left on Riverside Ave.
Follow city signs to Boardwalk parking areas

I am not a USA Triathlon member and do not want to be a member, why do I have to join?
USA Triathlon sanctions the Santa Cruz Triathlon, and USA Triathlon membership is required for all racers. You can purchase the one-day membership during registration and are encouraged to do so.

If you have a USA Triathlon membership card, you must bring it to pick up your race packet; otherwise you will be required to pay the nominal fee. Having this sanctioning provides sponsor benefits, insurance coverage and racers are able to receive points for their national ranking.

Are bike inspections mandatory?
Bike inspections are not mandatory. The simplest way to get bikes checked is at the Spokesman Bicycles downtown Santa Cruz. Bikes can be taken there during the month of September and get a bike check free of charge

Do I need a wetsuit for the swim?
A wetsuit is strongly recommended for the swim course but not required. The water is cold (55-60 degrees), there can be a current, and there can be swells and chop. A wetsuit offers advantages of warmth and buoyancy.