Tri Santa Cruz

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.  

Temporary street closures are as follows on Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm

• Beach Street Hill (uphill direction only) from Pacific Avenue to West Cliff Drive
• West Cliff Drive and the Trestle from Pacific Avenue to Bay Street
• Bay St. from Westcliff Drive to Laguna St.
• Delaware Ave. from Bay Street to Swanton Blvd. (turnaround)  7:00 am–11:30 am – both sides
• Laguna Street between Santa Cruz Street and Bay Street
• Santa Cruz Street between Laguna Street and West Cliff Drive

More detailed information coming soon for  Dream Inn, Sea & Sand, St. Joseph’s Shrine, DeAnza Mobile Home Park, West Cliff Inn and Clearview Court.

Access Area South of Delaware

If you are North of Delaware and need to reach areas south of Delaware between Bay Street and Swanton

• Travel along Mission (Hwy 1) to Natural Bridges
• Head South on Natural Bridges to Delaware
• Head East along Delaware to Swanton
• Head South on Swanton
• You can access roads to your destination.

Escape the Area South of Delaware

If you are South of Delaware between Bay Street and Swanton and need to reach areas North of Delaware 

• Travel West towards Swanton
• Head North on Swanton to Delaware
• Head West on Delaware to Natural Bridges
• You can access roads to your destination

The 2022 Athlete Information Guide is now available for you to download. Our apologies for it being so late but as you can imagine some things changed daily.

We will be doing regular age group wave starts and those wave starts will be updated race week.

More changes if they happen!

If you are interesed in sponsoring our event,  Please contact ray@activitynut.me

Approximate bike distances for the triathlons, duathlons, and aquabikes will be:

• Super Sprint: 6 Miles (1 loop)
• Sprint: 12 Miles (2 loops)
• International: 24 Miles (4 loops)

Below is the 2025 bike course.  

In this section you will find all the information you need about the courses used for Tri Santa Cruz.  All of the events will use either a sprint or international (Olympic) distance for any combination of events.  This is a very fast paced and spectator friendly race course for all segments with it's looping format. 

Sprint Triathlon will swim one loop of the swim course, two loops of the bike and an out and back along West Cliff Drive for the 5K run.  Similarly, the Sprint Aquabike will only use the swim and bike courses, while the Sprint Aquathlon will use the swim and run course only.

International (Olympic Distance) Triathlon will swim two loops of the swim course, four loops of the bike and an out and back along West Cliff Drive for the 10K run.  Similarly, the International Aquabike will only use the swim and bike courses, while the Aquathlon will use the swim and run course only.

The Duathlon Courses will use the run and bike courses only. 

Family and Friends

Do you want to race in the same wave as your sister, son, daughter, cousin, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse or friend without having to start in a competitive age group wave? If so then this is for you. It's the sprint race with it's own wave start. You'll get all the same race goodies but you won't be eligible for age group prizes.

Duathlons

There are two Duathlon distances both with an initial 5K Run, followed by either the sprint or Olympic distance bike ride, and wrapping up with another 5K Run. The first 5K run will start in Depot Park at the "Finish Line", run along the trail toward Cowell Beach, then proceed up West Cliff Drive to the 5K turnaround and return to Depot Park  to Transition for the bike ride. Both distances will finish with another 5K run on West Cliff to the finish. This is the same run course as the Sprint Triathlon Course. Total run distances for both courses is 10K, split into two runs of 5K each. The International Distance Duathlon is 5k run - 24 mile bike and 5k run.  The Sprint Plus Duathlon is 5k run - 12 mile bike - 5k run.

PACKET PICKUP

Saturday - August 8
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Packet Pickup at Depot Park, 119 Center Street in Santa Cruz

 
Sunday - August 9 - Race Day

6:00 am - 8:00 am at Depot Park in Depot Building.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

 
6:30 am - Transition Opens
Depot Park
 
7:45 am Mandatory Athlete Meeting on the beach before first start on Cowell Beach
 
8:00 am - First Wave Start*
 
9:00 am - Last Wave Start*
 
11:00 am Awards Distribution at Depot Park

Wave start times subject to weather and lifeguard approval

The best place to park is along West Cliff Drive and ride your bike down into transition at Depot Park.  All of the spaces along West Cliff are free and unlimited during the day. 

There is a paid parking lot behind the soccer field at Depot Park.  The problem with this lot is that the meters don’t start until 9:00am but you can purchase an all day ticket in that lot. 

There is some free parking and some metered parking along Center Street, parking at the Boardwalk, and in the neighborhoods behind the Bay and Laguna Intersections.  Do not park in any private or permit only zones, or areas marked with no parking signs. 

Race Insurance Recommended

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE THE EVENT INSURANCE THAT IS OFFERED WITH EACH EVENT REGISTRATION. THIS INSURANCE WILL PROTECT YOUR REGISTRATION AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND UNDER THE TERMS OF THE POLICY, INCLUDING WORK SCHEDULE CHANGES AND FAMILY OR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

The RegShield insurance premium is 8.1% of the registration cost (including processing fees) with a minimum insurance premium of $2.99 for registrations up to $24.99 and a minimum of $3.99 for registrations from $25.00 to $49.23. Premiums for registrations above $49.23 are 8.1%. Premiums in some states that apply surcharges may be slightly different.

Not able to participate this year?

New Policies starting in 2024

REFUND POLICY: THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR EVENTS, NO EXCEPTIONS.

IF YOU CANNOT RACE IN THE EVENT FOR WHICH YOU ARE REGISTERED, AND YOU DID NOT PURCHASE THE INSURANCE, YOU CAN DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ONLINE AT LEAST 4 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT, ON THE YEAR OF YOUR REGISTRATION.  NOTE: DEFERALS CAN NOT BE EXTENDED MORE THAN ONE YEAR FROM THE ORIGINAL REGISTRATION.

• Deferals - Transfer to next year ($25.00)
• Transfer - To a different distance (free)
• Transfer - To another participant (free)

NO DEFERALS ARE PERMITTED AFTER THE EVENT.

What changed?

Previously deferals were a maximum of 50% credit towards the same race/distance in the following year, were not guaranteed, and were approved on an individual basis. Our new policy costs less to defer and is offered as an online option.  Transfers are within the current year.  Deferals are available to the same event one year after the original registration.  

Why do we charge for deferals?

Most requests for deferals come after we have already ordered and paid for supplies, (medals, bibs, chips, food, etc.), for the race.  The deferal fee helps offset some of these costs.  Transfers to another distance or person on the other hand are for the same event and do not incur extra costs.

Run for all distances start from Transition

Super Sprint Run Course - will be 1.8 miles.  It follows the Sprint run course and turns around at .9 miles at the Aid Station.

Sprint Run Course - will be 3.05 miles.  Runners will make a single loop of the course and then return to Depot Park. 

International Run Course - will be 5.7 miles long.  Runners will make a second loop at the Whale Tale in front of the National Marine Sanctuary Building and head back out for a second loop of the course.

There will be an aid station placed for two stops on the Sprint Course and 4 stops on the International Course between Pelton Avenue and the Lighthouse.

Swim Out: 1-2-3, follow trail to transition

Run Out: From transition, 3-2, Proceed west up Beach, then along West Cliff

Run In: West Cliff to Beach, down Beach to 2 to 3, follow trail to transition

All runners head West along Beach, then South along West Cliff past the aid station

Super Sprint turns around at the end of the aid station parking lot

Sprint turns around at West Cliff and Columbia

International turns around at West Cliff and Columbia then turns for a second loop in front of the marine museum.

Sierra Cascades gives back to local charities, groups, and clubs who provide volunteers.

Volunteers who register online for an open position before the event recieve a volunteer card when they check out with the volunteer coordinator at the race.   These cards are transferable and can be used for 50% off of one over our Multisport Events, 100% off of one of our 5k/10k runs, or exchanged for a $50 donation to a non-profit organization or a triathlon/running club.

If you volunteer at one of our events and wish to donate your code, click here:

All swims will start on the west side of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Swim buoys will be set based on currents and position of the fixed finger buoys. All swimmers will swim in a clockwise direction around the buoys, keeping the buoys to their right shoulders. At the completion of the swim course swimmers will exit onto the beach and run up the beach through the marker flags and up the boardwalk path to the Cowell Beach parking area. From there they will be directed up to Depot Park on the trail that starts at the National Marine Sanctuary Building. 

Note: The "Swim Out" timing point will be at the entrance of transition.   Your swim time will include the time traveling from the beach to transition.

• Super Sprint: 400 Yards
• Sprint: 800 Yards
• International: 1600 Yards

Depot Park is race central!  All race services, Transition, and the Finish Line are all located at Depot Park.   Transition will be totally fenced for the event, with only one entrance and exit for athletes.  In order to enter transition you will need to have your "registered athlete" wristband.  Spectators and coaches are not permitted in transition.  When you exit transition you will need to show your wristband and your race numbers to ensure that you are removing only your gear.  Please do not lift your gear or bags over the fences to or from spectators or coaches. 

Age is determined on your age as of December 31, 2025. For example, if you are 39 on race day but turn 40 on any date between race day and the end of the year you are 40 for purposes of race start and timing.  Starting in an earlier wave may result in disqualification by USAT officials.

Wave Start Times (final times may be determined by lifeguards based on weather and ocean conditions on race morning).

International Distance 

8:00am - Male 39 and Under - ALL INTERNATIONAL DISTANCES, 1.5K SWIM

                ALL RELAY TEAMS

8:05am - Male 40 and Over - TRIATHLON, ALL CLYDESDALES,  ALL INTERNATIONAL AQUABIKE & AQUATHALON

8:10am - All Females - TRIATHLON, ATHENA,  and AQUABIKE

Sprint Distance 

8:30am - Male 39 and Under - TRIATHLON 
8:35am - Male 40 and Over - TRIATHLON, ALL CLYDESDALES,  ALL MALE AQUABIKE & AQUATHALON,  and ALL SPRINT RELAY TEAMS
8:40am - ALL Female Triathlon, Athena, Aquathon and Aquabike
8:45am - FAMILY and FRIENDS WAVE*
8:55am - Super Sprint Triathlon

Duathlon & 5k Run (Starts at Depot Park Finish Line)

8:55am - Duathlons and 5k Runs -  All distances and relay teams

Road Closures must be approved by and may be changed by SCPD

Please Review this page the day before the race for any changes. 

2025 Tri Santa Cruse Road Closures

The following roads will be closed on August 10th, 2025 between 6am and noon:

• West Cliff Drive between Depot Park and Swanton Blvd
• Bay Street between West Cliff Drive and Lighthouse Ave 
• Lighthouse Ave between Bay Street and Cowell Street
• Cowell Street between Lighthouse Ave and West Cliff Drive
• Swanton Blvd between West Cliff Drive and Modesto Ave

If you are between Mission Street and West Cliff and need to get to Beach Street or East of California Street, you can take Mission Street or California Street to Laurel, then take one of the streets towards Beach Street (Center, Cedar, or Pacific)

Hotels on West Cliff Blvd will have a dedicated EXIT lane from Cowell Street to Beach Street 

A lane of Bay Avenue will coned off between Lighthouse Ave and the entrance to the Dream Inn Parking Lot to allow access to and from the Clearview Court, Dream Inn Parking lot, and Bay St/West Cliff Townhouses.

Dream Inn

>> parking lot will be accessable via Bay Street.

West Cliff Townhouses | West Cliff Inn

>> Exit via West Cliff Inn Parking lot, turn right onto Bay.  Bay to Lighthouse will be controlled by SCPD

>> Return: Plan on a hard closure from 8:30-10:45.  Before 8:30 and as SCPD determines it is safe, navigate to Bay & Lighthouse.  Follow directions as SCPD directs you across West Cliff

Seaway Inn

>> Exit via Searway Inn Parking lot, turn right onto Bay.  Bay to Lighthouse will be controlled by SCPD

>> Return: Plan on a hard closure from 8:30-10:45.  Before 8:30 and as SCPD determines it is safe, navigate to Bay & Lighthouse.  Follow directions as SCPD directs you across West Cliff into the West Cliff Townhouses.  Drive around the back side of West Cliff Inn, turn right on to West Cliff, then right into the Seaway Inn parking lot

Easy access to homes and businesses between Mission and West Cliff.

Vehicles will be able to access Modesto Ave from Swanton or any of the roads from Delaware. 

Shrine of St. Joseph

A lane will be coned off to allow vehicles to go from Pelton to the driveway on West Cliff

Sat - August 8, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Depot Park, 119 Center Street in Santa Cruz

Sun - August 9 - Race Day, 6:00 am - 8:00 am 
at Depot Park in Depot Building.

Age is determined on your age as of December 31, 2025. For example, if you are 39 on race day but turn 40 on any date between race day and the end of the year you are 40 for purposes of race start and timing.  Starting in an earlier wave may result in disqualification by USAT officials.

Wave Start Times (final times may be determined by lifeguards based on weather and ocean conditions on race morning).

International Distance 

8:00am - Male 39 and Under - Triathlon, Aquabike, Aqauathlon, 1.5K SWIM, All International Relays

8:05am - Male 40 and Over - Triathlon, Aquabike, Aquathlon, Clydesdales, 1.5K Swim

8:10am - All Females - Triathlon, Aquabike, Aqauathlon, 1.5K SWIM, Athena, (no relays)

Sprint Distance 

8:30am - Male 39 and Under - Triathlon, Aquabike, Aqauathlon, 750M SWIM, All Sp;rint Relays

8:35am - Male 40 and Over - Triathlon, Aquabike, Aquathlon, Clydesdales, 750M Swim

8:40am - ALL Female Triathlon, Aquabike, Aqauathlon, 750M SWIM, Athena (no relaus)

8:45am - FAMILY and FRIENDS WAVE

8:55am - Super Sprint Triathlon

Duathlon & 5k Run (Starts at Depot Park Finish Line)

8:55am - Duathlons and 5k Runs -  All distances and relay teams

Overall Awards will be three deep overall in each event

Age Group Awards for Sprint and International Triathlons

Exceptions for the Family and Friends "non-competitive wave" and relays.

2025 Shirt

2025 medal shown

Check out this cool drone footage shot by Jeff Tse from Tri Santa Cruz 2017.  The weather is perfect this time of year with no fog and calm waters in a protected bay.  Perfect for first timers and experienced athletes alike.   This can be your short course PR for either the sprint or the international (Olympic) distance race.