Held during early September, the IRONMAN Santa Cruz (not Santa Cruz Triathlon) celebrates multi-sport in an iconic location. The surf town which made O’Neill acts as the foreground, with the Santa Cruz Mountains a background to the bike and run courses.

The race kicks-off with a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) ocean swim in the Pacific, starting on Santa Cruz Main Beach next to the iconic Beach Boardwalk. Swimmers navigate a clockwise loop around the Santa Cruz Wharf, exiting the water onto Cowell’s Beach. The bike course is a 56-mile (90 km) rolling out-and-back along scenic Highway 1, heading north past beautiful coastline towards the Pigeon Point Lighthouse before returning. Climbs are honest without being overbearing even with a TT bike.

Finally, the 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run course is primarily flat and fast, beginning at Depot Park. It takes athletes along the West Cliff Path, offering stunning ocean views, through the community, and an access path into Wilder Ranch State Park for a dramatic turnaround on rugged ocean bluffs. The race culminates with an exciting finish on the sand at Cowell’s Beach.

Accommodation in Santa Cruz

We recommend Paradox for a central hotel.

Race entry at ironman.com. Useful race tips from Martin Spierings here.

Header Image: IRONMAN