Fifteen Thousand on the Way for Wharf to Wharf Race

The yearly Wharf to Wharf Race is just around the corner. Runners from 42 states and a dozen countries will be arriving this weekend to compete in this six-mile race from Santa Cruz to Capitola.

The opening ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday with the starting gun firing on Beach Street 30 minutes later.

The fastest runners are expected to finish the race in less than 30 minutes, while the more casual runners can take up to 90 minutes to reach Capitola, Just in time for the awards ceremony at 10 a.m.

The first three to cross into Capitola Village will receive $3k, $2k and $1k as prize money. Other finishers will receive commemorative plaques. All racers will be given a shirt and become be eligible to win a trip to the Wharf2Wharf race in New Zealand.

Organizers are busy finishing up the last-minute details of the race, which has become an effective fundraising vehicle for the promotion of running and fitness throughout Santa Cruz County. Money raised from the event also goes toward other local athletic activities.

“We touch a lot of other sports besides running, like soccer, water polo, football, softball and baseball,” said Capitola Councilman Kirby Nicol, the director of the race. “It’s a good deal for a football team, because working for the Wharf to Wharf race may they make $2000,” said Nicol. “If they did Saturday garage sales, or sold candy bars door-to-door, or car washes, it’s a much more difficult fundraising activity.”

Last year, the total amount of funds donated to volunteer groups was close to $305k. Allocations ranged from a $135 donation to Boulder Creek Elementary School to a $78,000 giveaway to the Santa Cruz High School Stadium Project.

The race is also expected to give a boost to the local economy.

“Since the race reached the 15,000 runner plateau, the race raises about $5 million a year,” said Nicol.

Despite potential demand for expansion, the 15,000 runner plateau will not be exceeded due to safety reason.

The race attracts masses for several reasons, including its scenic route and strategic Sunday morning scheduling.

“It is beneficial for the tourism industry that the race starts early in the morning because racers, if they are not driving here for the day, will tend to stay here for the night,” said Christina Glynn, communications director for the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council. “It is significant in terms of visitors because it is a very popular race, and has been described as one of the most scenic road races in California.”

For the first time this year, the event will also allow all racers to have their exact time and place in the race recorded. Registered racers will have an electronic chip in their pin number, which will activate when they cross the starting line and record their time as soon as they go over the finish line. 

“In the past, we have only hand-timed the first hundred men and women,” said Race Coordinator Mark McConnell. “We will be able to publish within a short time of the finish of the race, everybody’s times and everybody’s place."

Stay tuned to Patch for further coverage of the race, including photos, videos and interviews with participants.