15,000 runners, 2,000 volunteers, 55 musical groups, one ton of PowerBars and a whole lot of hullabaloo will hit the streets of Capitola and Santa Cruz this Sunday for the 41st annual Wharf to Wharf race. The six-mile course starts near the Santa Cruz Wharf and passes iconic vistas and surf spots like the Boardwalk, "The Hook" and Pleasure Point, climbing and descending rolling hills and dipping in and out of scenic ocean views. Registration is already filled, but whether you're going as a competitor, supporter, spectator, or just trying to avoid traffic, there are some things you should know:
WHEN: The race starts at 8:30 a.m. sharp, the course is re-opened to traffic at 10 a.m..
WHERE: The starting line is at Beach and Cliff streets near the Santa Cruz Wharf. Organizers will be doing a Corral Start for the first time this year, fencing off the entire starting area and only allowing registered runners in. The finish line is at the corner of Cliff and Wharf roads by the Capitola Wharf.
The Capitola Police Department announced the following road closures:
1) N/B and S/B Wharf Road @ Stockton Ave.
2) E/B Capitola Road at Wharf Road and Lincoln Avenue.
3) S/B San Jose Avenue at Capitola Avenue.
4) S/B Stockton Avenue at Capitola Avenue.
5) Riverview at Stockton Avenue (swing barricade from the
Esplanade across Stockton allowing left turn from
Riverview).
6) El Camino Medio at Monterrey Avenue.
7) 47th Avenue/ Portola/ Cliff/ Opal Cliff.
8) Right-turn only signs for n/b Park Avenue at McGregor
and s/b Park at Kennedy.
9) Cones will be at Capitola Ave. and Bay Ave. to
block the right turn lane into Village.
HOW: The Capitola Village will be closed to all traffic from 6 a.m. to noon, and with many roads near the starting line also closed for the race, parking will be extremely limited. Consider carpooling, walking or biking (you won't be able to have your bike near the race though). If you do plan on finding parking on the street, bring quarters, as meter parking runs about $1.00 per hour. Free parking is available in Santa Cruz at the Ocean Street Government Center and nearby River Street Parking Plaza. Bus shuttles run from these two Santa Cruz parking lots to the starting line of the race beginning at 6:30a.m.. Shuttle buses will run from end of race to noon. There is NO shuttle bus service from Capitola to Santa Cruz BEFORE the race.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, sunscreen, a hat, ID and debit card (if you feel like grabbing a mimosa or bloody mary after.) If you're racing, don't forget to get your bib number! This is your ticket into all race venues and the shuttle buses, as well as the timing chip strip which records your time. The chip strip is fragile, so be careful not to fold, bend, crinkle or lose it.
WHAT NOT TO BRING: skateboards, bikes, wagons, wheelbarrows, roller skates/blades, baby jogger/strollers and pets.
