Race The Flame

Are you ready? If you had to escape a wildfire in Santa Cruz how long would it take you to run or walk to reach safety?  Would you know which way to go? Here’s your chance to test yourself and gain knowledge about wildfires and their impact on our community. 

Join the second award-winning emergency preparedness run/walk in Santa Cruz - hosted by the City of Santa Cruz and The University of California at Santa Cruz. 

Adults are only $20 and kids 12 and under are $15.  This will automatically be calculated at check-out. 

Each participant will receive a bib with a timing chip regardless of which category you select. Competitive runners should pick the run option.  Walkers and strollers will start after competitive runners.

Because this event takes place on the UCSC campus there is a strict "no dogs" policy, so please plan on leaving your pooch at home. 

Background 

Race the Flame combines a community fun run, and an wildfire and emergency preparedness fair hosted by the City of Santa Cruz at the finish line. 

This event reinforces the community commitment to emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation. It highlights the shared responsibility to protect our community. 

The race begins on the UCSC campus at the East Field and follows a route down Coolidge Drive with an ending at the Bay Tree Campus Bookstore and High Street. The total distance is 2.3 miles from start to finish. 

At the finish line, an emergency preparedness fair will celebrate community resilience. Community-based organizations will share emergency preparedness information with the community. The fair will focus community attention on the need for 72 hours of personal and household preparedness.

During the registration process you will be asked if you would like to opt into Cruz Aware, the local emergency notification service. Find more information by clicking tab above. 

Parking will be available at the East Remote Parking Lot on Hagar Drive. Shuttle busses will be available to take you from the finish line up to your car or bike.  

The race begins on the UCSC campus at the East Field and follows a route down Coolidge Drive with an ending at the Bay Tree Campus Bookstore and High Street.

At the finish line, an emergency preparedness fair will celebrate community resilience. Community-based organizations will share emergency preparedness information with the community. The fair will focus community attention on the need for 72 hours of personal and household preparedness.

Parking will be available at the East Remote Parking Lot on Hagar Drive. Shuttle busses will be available to take you from the finish line up to your car or bike.  

Pre-Race Packet Pickup and Race Schedule 

You can pick up your race number and t-shirt at the following locations: 

Thursday, October 15    4:00pm to 7:00pm

• Humble Sea Brewing Co.,
• 820 Swift St, Santa Cruz

Any remaining race bibs will be available at registration on race morning from 7 - 7:45. 

Event Schedule Saturday, October 17

• Race Day Number Pickup - 7:00am to 7:50am at the start line 
• Please Note: T-Shirts will not be available at the start line.  You can get your shirt at the finish line after your race on 
• Arrive in enough time to get parked and walk  up to the registration area in time to get your numbers before the start time.  

• Planned start time will be 8:00am for runners and 8:05am for strollers and walkers from the field behind the UCSC Aquatics complex. 
• Dogs are not allowed on campus to please leave your pup at home.  
• Estimated last finishers by 9:00 am
• Following the run there will be an expo at the finish line on the lawn area by the Baytree Bookstore. 
• Shuttles will be available to take you back to East Field Parking. 

Free parking will be available at the East Remote Parking Lot on Hagar Drive.

Shuttle busses will be available to take you from the finish line up back up to your car or bike.   

Net proceeds from Race The Flame will go to Friends of Parks & Rec Santa Cruz, supporting Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation through fundraising, community involvement and hands-on support.  FOPAR’s goal is to enhance programs and facilities that support people of all ages and abilities - creating a more active, connected,and vibrant Santa Cruz.  

Friend of Parks and Recreation (FOPAR) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. 

Race T-Shirts

Participants signing up after October 5th will not be offered a shirt choice at registration as the t-shirt order is placed 2.5 weeks in advance. If there are any shirts available they will be available at the finish line after the race.