IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz has a long history in Santa Cruz, merging a chill, local-race feel with the high-end IRONMAN experience athletes expect. The course features a 1.2-mile ocean swim around the wharf, a 56-mile rolling bike along scenic Highway 1, and a flat half-marathon through parks and along coastal bluffs, finishing at the famous beach finish line. If it’s a laid-back season closer you crave, look no further than IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz for the ultimate surf city experience.

The run course is an out-and-back starting at Depot Park and heading across the West Cliff Bridge to the West Cliff Path. From there, it’s a primarily flat, fast, and coastal run along the West Cliff path around Natural Bridges State Park. The course takes athletes through the surrounding community, along an access path to Wilder Ranch State Park for the dramatic turnaround on the rugged ocean bluffs. Runners will then return on the same route to an exciting finish on the beach at Cowell’s Beach. The last 100 yards of the run course will be completed on the beach and in the sand.

The bike course is a scenic tour of the California Coastline beginning at Depot Park. The course then takes athletes north on beautiful Highway 1 as you pass more beautiful California coastline to the turnaround near historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Riders will then head back south on Highway 1 and return back to the Depot Park Transition zone

The swim will start on Santa Cruz Main Beach next to the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Swimmers will swim clockwise around the Wharf and exit the water on Cowell’s Beach.

Schedule: 

Saturday - September 7, 2024

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM

XC Swim with a PRO (athlete only)

8:30 AM – 9:45 AM

XC Breakfast with the Pros (XC Group photo to immediately follow) (athlete only)

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

IRONMAN Village & Expo

10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

Athlete Briefing

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

XC Luncheon & Race Day Logistics Overview - VIP credentials distributed (athlete and family/guest)

1:45 PM Bike Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-up  (athlete only) 

Course Map

Race Fee:  Starts from $493.90

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