The 54th annual Wharf to Wharf Race returns Sunday, bringing thousands of runners and spectators to Santa Cruz County’s coastline—and with them, significant traffic delays and road closures.
The popular 6-mile race begins at 8am Sunday, July 26. For the second consecutive year, the start line has been relocated to Portola Drive between 30th and 36th avenues in Live Oak because of ongoing construction on the Murray Street Bridge. The finish line remains in Capitola Village.
Motorists should plan for rolling road closures along the race route from roughly 7am until about 1pm. Roads will reopen as runners pass, but travel through the area is expected to be slow throughout the morning.
Among the biggest impacts:
• Portola Drive between 30th and 36th avenues will be closed early Sunday morning for the start area.
• The race route follows Portola Drive, continues through the Santa Cruz Harbor area, travels down Lake Avenue to East Cliff Drive, passes Twin Lakes Beach and Pleasure Point, and ends in Capitola Village. Drivers should expect intermittent closures and delays along those streets and connecting roads as runners make their way to the finish.
• Capitola Village will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 5am to noon, with roadblocks and parking restrictions in effect around San Jose Avenue, the Capitola Esplanade and surrounding streets.
Race organizers encourage anyone traveling through the area Sunday morning to leave early, use alternate routes or avoid the race corridor altogether.
For runners, organizers recommend arriving between 6am and 6:30am because parking near the start line is limited and many neighborhood streets will already be closed. Participants can be dropped off on Portola Drive between 38th and 41st avenues, park near the start and take a shuttle back after the race, or park near the finish in Capitola and ride a pre-race shuttle to the start. Shuttle service runs from 6-7:30am.
The Wharf to Wharf Race is one of Santa Cruz County’s signature summer events, drawing up to 16,000 runners and featuring dozens of live bands along the course. This year’s altered route, necessitated by the Murray Street Bridge project, mirrors last year’s configuration.
