Event Description

The Santa Cruz Triathlon is a non-profit event. The race has donated more than $1.5 million to Santa Cruz County high school athletic programs, UC Santa Cruz Swim Program, Cabrillo College's athletic programs, Santa Cruz Track Club and Santa Cruz Triathlon Association in its 40 years — including another big year of $84,000 in 2022. Students from these schools serve as race-day volunteers. Your participation in this event is appreciated!

OLYMPIC RACE

Swim (1.5K): Brisk ocean swim around the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Water temperature is usually in the mid-50s, so wetsuits are strongly recommended.

Bike (40K): Challenging out-and-back rolling ride via scenic West Cliff Drive and coastal Highway 1 to the historic town of Davenport.

Run (10K): A flat-and-fast, out-and-back dash along the ocean.

Divisions

• Age groups male & female:19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
• Aquabike
• Aquathlon
• Relay (men, women & co-ed)

SPRINT RACE

Our Sprint Triathlon Course is the best sprint race in NorCal. The course — 700 yard swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run — is ideal for beginners or returning racers not quite up for a full Olympic distance triathlon.

Sorry, athletes under 12 years of age will not be allowed to compete in the Sprint. Racers must be 14 for all other events.

OPEN WATER SWIM

The one-mile Open Water Swim race course is clockwise around the Wharf from the Boardwalk to Cowell Beach. There will be one wave, including men and women. The race will take place around 8:30 a.m., after the Olympic Triathletes have started.

All race entries are non-transferable. All entrants agree to our refund and transfer policy at the successful completion of online registration. Refunds will be processed for medical reasons only. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing with a supporting doctors note no later than 72 hours prior to the event (9/24/2023). You may email us here. A 50 percent credit towards next years race will be applied to your account. If a relay team member is injured and unable to race on race day, a written cancellation request must be accompanied by a doctors note and submitted no later than 72 hours prior to the event (9/24/2023) to allow the uninjured relay teams to re-register. A full refund minus processing fees will be provided to relay teams if procedures are followed. Under USA Triathlon rules, participants found racing under another persons name will be disqualified and could be barred from USA Triathlon membership for one full year. Participants could also be barred from racing in future Santa Cruz Triathlons. Race is subject to change or be cancelled due to Covid-19 State, City and County guidelines at the time of the event. Participation may be limited due to Covid-19 regulations and may be first come first serve on race day. In which case will be based on order of registration. Date of event or cancellation is subject to change due to Covid-19 State, City or County regulations on race day. In addition, the event may be subject to cancellation due to unforseen natural disaster (severe weather, fire, pandemic) without refund or partial refund. 

Event details and schedule

Event Start Time

Olympic: 8 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023

Open Water Swim directly follows the Olympic start, likely around 8:30 a.m.

Sprint: 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023

Olympic racers, please arrive in Transition Area no later than 7:15 a.m. to be body-marked and rack your bike. Transition opens at 6am. There will be a safety meeting at the Swim Start on Main Beach at 7:45 a.m.

Sprint racers, Transition Area opens at 8 a.m. Please arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. to be body-marked and rack your bike. There will be a safety meeting at the Swim Start on Cowell Beach at 9:15 a.m.

Packet Pickup will be held

• Friday, Sept. 22 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Sports Basement in Sunnyvale. 
• Saturday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spokesman in downtown Santa Cruz.
• on race morning beginning at 5:30 a.m. ($20 race day pickup fee applies).

Find course maps, parking infomation and suggested lodging on our website, www.santacruztriathlon.org.

Note: Participation may become limited due to Covid-19 State, City and County health guidelines at the time of the event. In which case participation will become first come, first serve based on order of registraton. Subject to cancellation or date change in the case Covid-19 State, City and County health guidlelines change. In addition, the event may be subject to cancellation due to unforseen natural disaster (fire, severe weather, pandemic) without refund or partial refund.