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May 20, 2018 • Santa Cruz and Capitola
runsurferspath.com
The 7th annual Surfer’s Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & Relay will travel the majestic Santa Cruz County coastline on Sunday, May 20. A combination of local, regional and national runners will test their endurance as they travel the Surfer’s Path, passing world famous surf breaks.
The Surfer’s Path has built a strong reputation as offering one of the most scenic courses in all of running. The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon start together at the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travel east along the coastal bluffs, loop through Capitola Village, and retrace their steps back to Cowell’s Beach for the half marathon finish. Full marathoners continue onto the West Cliff path, continue to historic Wilder Ranch State Park where runners complete a picturesque bluff trail loop before their return and finish on Cowell’s Beach.
Welcome to the Surfer’s Path events. The crowning jewel of the Golden State, Santa Cruz County welcomes runners with an enchanting blend of nostalgia, natural beauty and invigorating activities. Whether you choose the Marathon, Half Marathon, Hang 10/5 or 10k/5k you will be treated to scenic courses, featuring breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay coastline and a series of world-renowned surf breaks. An ideal destination event, participants can experience a quintessential California vacation. Create a memory that you will treasure forever by achieving your athletic goal in this picture postcard setting.
The Surfer’s Path Marathon Theme
Many consider Santa Cruz to be the mainland’s birthplace of surfing. It’s arguably the true Surf City. In the authoritative The Encyclopedia of Surfing, Matt Warshaw describes how surfing first came to the American mainland at Santa Cruz. Back in 1885, three Hawaiian princes attending school in California fashioned homemade boards from redwood planks and rode the break at the San Lorenzo River mouth. Locals continued to surf for decades until 1938 when the great Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku visited Santa Cruz and the city’s modern surf era was born.
Today, the Santa Cruz County coast is dotted with legendary surf breaks, including Steamer’s Lane, Pleasure Point and Capitola. In appraising the quality of Santa Cruz surf, Surfing magazine stated, “Nowhere else in the world will you find so many different kinds of waves packed into such a short coastline”. In addition to the breaks, runners will pass points of interest such as the residence of Jack O’Neil, pioneer of the modern wetsuit as well as the Santa Cruz Surf Museum, the world’s first surf museum.
Journey onto the Surfer’s Path, and tour the coastal bluffs of Santa Cruz County, offering views of these famous points of interest and surf breaks. Miles will melt away as you enjoy breathtaking views and the watch surfers ride the waves.
Learn more and register at runsurferspath.com.
