Tri Santa Cruz

Come race at one of the most fun and scenic multisport events on the West Coast!

Tri Santa Cruz offers something for nearly every athlete, from first-timers to experienced racers looking for a fast course and a new PR. Choose from Sprint and International (Olympic) distance triathlons, aquabike, aquathlon, duathlon, relays, open-water swims, running events, and our Super Sprint Triathlon. Clydesdale and Athena triathlon categories are also available.

New to triathlon or want to enjoy the experience alongside family and friends? Our special Family & Friends Sprint Wave is a non-competitive option that allows participants to race together regardless of age or gender.

Special youth and senior pricing is available for individual participants ages 12–17 and 70+. Contact us about discounted registration for an all-youth or all-senior relay team.

Triathlon club discounts are available. If your club does not already have a discount code, have a club officer contact us.

Tri Santa Cruz is an ideal race for both beginners and experienced athletes. The swim takes place in the protected waters of Monterey Bay, while the fast bike and run courses showcase the spectacular Santa Cruz coastline. The bike course is completely closed to vehicle traffic, giving athletes a unique opportunity to race along the coast without cars.

Not ready for a full triathlon? Join us for the 750-meter or 1.5K open-water swim, 5K or 10K run, Super Sprint Triathlon, Aquabike, Aquathlon, or Duathlon. There is truly an event for almost everyone.

Make a weekend of it! After the race, enjoy the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, explore the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, or simply spend the day enjoying the beach and everything Santa Cruz has to offer.

Participants receive a custom race T-shirt and finisher medal, along with a post-race lunch. Awards will be presented to top overall and age-group finishers in eligible events.

Swim. Bike. Run. Play. Experience Tri Santa Cruz.

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 7th
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Packet Pickup at Depot Park, 119 Center Street in Santa Cruz

Sunday - August 8th - Race Day

6:00 am - 8:00 am at Depot Park, 119 Center Street in Santa Cruz

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 are subject to weather and lifeguard approval.

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. 

Common covered reasons

Examples of situations that are typically covered include:

• Illness or accidental injury that prevents participation
• Serious illness or death of an immediate family member
• Vehicle breakdown or traffic accident while traveling to the event
• Severe weather that makes travel impossible or unsafe
• Job loss or involuntary layoff
• Required work relocation (under certain circumstances)
• Jury duty
• Active military deployment
• A positive COVID-19 test requiring isolation (when covered under the applicable policy)

What is not covered

RegShield generally does not reimburse if:

• You simply change your mind.
• You decide not to race.
• You have a scheduling conflict, vacation, or other personal plans.
• You forgot about the race.

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?

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 PRIOR TO THE EVENT, ON THE YEAR OF YOUR REGISTRATION. 

• Deferrals - Transfer to next year ($25.00) at least 4 days prior to the event.
• Transfer - To a different race ($10.00) at least 7 days prior to the event
• Transfer - To a different distance (free) at least 4 days prior to the event
• Transfer - To another participant (free) at least 4 days prior to the event

NO DEFERRALS OR TRANSFERS ARE PERMITTED AFTER THE EVENT.

Why do we charge for deferrals?

Most requests for deferrals come after we have already ordered and paid for supplies, (medals, bibs, chips, food, etc.), for the race.  The deferral 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 just past 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 turn around for a second loop 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.(across from Steamer Lane Supply))

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.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport created the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), a collection of proactive prevention and training policies for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement to help create a safer and healthier environment in which minor athletes can thrive.

Required Prevention Policies

The MAAPP focuses on in-program contact between an Adult Event Participant and a minor athlete and covers the following Required Prevention Policies: Meetings, Individual training sessions, Therapeutic and Recovery Modalities and Manual Therapy, Locker Rooms and changing areas, Electronic communications, Transportation.

All Required Prevention Policies apply at all facilities or locations that are partially or fully under the jurisdiction of USAT which include any sanctioned event by USA Triathlon, or any facility that the USAT owns, leases, or rents for practice, training, or competition.

All Required Prevention Policies must be followed by Adult Event Participants who have regular contact and/or authority over minor athletes.

Mandatory Reporting

As a reminder, all Adult Event Participants – including those with one-day memberships – are Mandatory Reporters. If you see or hear a report of any form of abuse, whether it is sexual, physical, mental or another type of abuse you are required to report that abuse within a 24-hour period. You can file a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport through its online reporting form or by calling the U.S. Center for SafeSport at 833-587-7233 or USA Triathlon at trisafe@usatriathlon.org.

Resources

• MAAPP at a Glance
• USA Triathlon’s Safe Sport Policies and References

We encourage you to review these resources and familiarize yourself with them. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email trisafe@usatriathlon.org.

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. 

USA Triathlon Sanctioning

All Multisport events are USA Triathlon sanctioned and follow USAT rules. These rules do not apply to the 5K and 10K events.

Need to print a USAT membership card? Click HERE.

Check out complete USAT rules here: teamusa.org

USAT Wetsuit Rules

• If the water temperature is below 58F degrees, a wetsuit will be mandatory for any competitor.  Any person who is not wearing a wetsuit will not be allowed to compete.
• If the water temperature is 58F-65F degrees a wetsuit is recommended for any competitor. 
• Wetsuits may be worn if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower.
• If the water temperature is 78.1F – 83.9F degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards or USAT points. 
• If the water temperature is 84F degrees or above, participants may NOT wear wetsuits.

Water temperatures will be posted at the top of the event page at least 24 hours before the event.

Youth Specific Rules

Youth athletes 15 and under may have one accompanying parent or guardian prior to the race. Please check in with a race official at transition if you would like to accompany a youth athlete in transition.  Parents may not enter transition after transition is cleared and cannot run or bike portions of the event with an athlete.

Athletes 16 and older must follow normal USAT rules; this includes allowing athletes only in transition. 

Overview of USA Triathlon Rules

Note: Every athlete is responsible for knowing USAT rules and should review the official USAT rules before race day.  Check out complete USAT rules here: teamusa.org

General USAT Rules:

• Only athletes and race officials are allowed in transition. This includes dogs, kids, parents, and coaches.
• Age Group Rule: All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.
• Know the Course & Stay On Course: Participants must cover the prescribed course in its entirety. It is the participant’s responsibility to know the course.
• Upon leaving the course, a participant shall re-enter the course and continue at the same point of departure.
• Be a Good Sport: Participants shall refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct, including the improper use of language or conduct directed toward an official. 
• This is Not A Contact Sport: Participants shall refrain from intentionally or accidentally blocking, charging, obstructing, or interfering with the forward progress of another participant. No participant shall use his body, head, arms, or legs to gain an unfair advantage, or to push, pull, hold, strike, or force through one or more participants. 
• No Unfair Advantage: No participant shall accept from any person (other than a race official) physical assistance in any form, including food, drink, equipment, support, pacing, a replacement bicycle or bicycle parts, unless an express exception has been granted and approved, in writing, by USA Triathlon.
• No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. 
• Race Numbers & Body Marking: Participants shall plainly display their race numbers at all times, and shall maintain the race number in an unaltered, unobstructed and readable state at the start and finish gates, in the transition areas, and on the course except at designated areas. 
• Do Not Shed Your Gear or Trash: No participant shall leave any equipment or personal gear on the race course except at designated disposal areas such as aid stations. 
• No Audio Devices: No participant shall, at any time during the event, use or wear a hard cast, headset, radio, personal audio device, or any other item deemed dangerous by the Head Referee. 
• Glass is Bad for Feet & Bikes: No participant shall utilize any glass bottles or glass containers at any time during the event. 
• Keep Your Clothes On: Public nudity at any time during the event is prohibited.

Swim-Specific USAT Rules:

• All Strokes Allowed: Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.
• Resting or Touching the Bottom: A participant may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, boat, rope, or floating object.
• Excluding the bottom, a participant shall not use any inanimate object to gain forward progress. 
• In Case of an Emergency: A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer can hold onto buoys, a kayak, or other assistance as long as they do not make forward progress from the assistance. 
• Wet Suits: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however, that participants who wear a wetsuit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified. 
• Wear Your Swim Cap: If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons, if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.
• Goggles are Optional, But Highly Recommended: Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.
• You Cannot Use a Boat or Flippers: Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind, shall be disqualified.

Transition Specific USAT Rules:

• Mount and Dismount line: Athletes must walk bike to the designated mount line.  Athletes must dismount at the designated dismount line and walk bike to the designated transition spot. Failure to do so can result in a variable time penalty.
• All Gear Goes in the Transition Area: All participants shall place equipment only in the properly designated and individually assigned bicycle corral and shall at all times keep their equipment confined to such properly designated areas. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in the properly designated bicycle corral after completion of the cycling course and before beginning the next segment of the event. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.
• Watch Out for Others in Transition: No participant shall impede the forward progress of another participant or interfere with another participant's equipment while in the transition area. 
• Hand on Bike, Helmet on Head: The helmet must be fastened before the participant first mounts the bicycle, at all times when the participant is on the bicycle, and must not be unfastened until the participant has dismounted. 
• Glass is Bad for Feet and Bikes: Any participant who brings any glass container into the transition area shall be disqualified.

Bike Specific USAT Rules:

• Human Power Only & Push It If Necessary: All bicycles shall be propelled only by human force and human power. Other than pushing a bicycle, any propulsive action brought on by the use of the hands is prohibited. Participants shall not make any forward progress unaccompanied by their bicycle. If a bicycle is rendered inoperable, a participant may proceed on the cycling course, running or walking, while pushing or carrying the bicycle, so long as the bicycle is pushed or carried in a manner not to obstruct or impede the progress of other participants. 
• Obey the Traffic Laws: All participants must obey all traffic laws while on the cycling course unless otherwise specifically directed by a USA Triathlon official, race monitor or designee with actual authority. Unless otherwise directed in accordance with the preceding sentence, all participants shall come to a complete stop when required by a traffic sign or traffic control device and shall not proceed through any intersection unless such intersection is clear of oncoming traffic. In no case shall a cyclist cross a solid yellow line indicating a no passing zone.
• Hand on Bike, Helmet on Head: The helmet must be fastened before the participant first mounts the bicycle, at all times when the participant is on the bicycle, and must not be unfastened until the participant has dismounted. 
• You Cannot Draft Bikes or Cars: In accordance with the Rules as set forth in this section, a participant is not permitted to position his bicycle in the proximity of another moving vehicle so as to benefit from reduced air resistance.  While on the cycling course, participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct. 
• The Drafting Zone: The term "drafting zone" shall refer to a rectangular area seven (7) meters long and two (2) meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the "drafting zone" is a rectangular area extending 15 meters to each side of the vehicle and 30 meters behind the vehicle.
• After Being Passed Move from the Drafting Zone: When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been "overtaken" within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist.
• No Blocking or Crowding; This is Not Football: Cyclists must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant. A participant is generally entitled to assume any otherwise proper location on the cycling course provided that the participant arrives in the position first without contacting another participant.
• When taking a position near another participant, however, a cyclist shall not crowd the other participant and shall allow reasonable space for the other participant to make normal movements without making contact.
• Stay to the Right: Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all cyclists shall keep to the right of the prescribed course unless passing.
• Pass on the Left: A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached alters speed. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass the other cyclist. All passing is to be done to the left of the cyclist being overtaken unless otherwise specified.

Run Specific USAT Rules:

• Run or Walk The Course: A participant must run or walk the entire portion of the run course. Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all runners shall follow and remain within the prescribed course. A participant who gains forward progress by crawling or otherwise violates this Section shall be disqualified. The responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed course rests with each participant.
• No Glass or Audio Devices: We already covered this.

Where Do I Set Up Transition? 

Typically, you set up transition next to your "down tire". You have the width of your handlebars on the left OR right of your bike. This allows your fellow athletes to also have space in transition.

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. 

Tri Santa Cruz Road Closures

The following roads will be closed on RACE DAY 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 be 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 accessible 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 Seaway 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, 2026. 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 relays)

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, and Duathlons

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

2025 Shirt

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.