Santa Cruz Marathon
Santa Cruz Marathon race day weather
Pleasant conditions, gradual warm-up
Runners will face a temperature rise from 56°F at the start to 66°F by the finish, with humidity at 69% creating a slightly muggy feel. Wind will be light, making it a non-factor for pacing. Given the conditions, runners should consider a conservative start and hydrate regularly as the temperature climbs, particularly on the rolling terrain where effort levels may fluctuate.
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Santa Cruz Marathon route and elevation
The Santa Cruz Marathon course has about 752 ft (229 m) of climbing and 745 ft (227 m) of descent, and finishes near the elevation it starts. It is hillier than 58% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. The hardest mile is mile 17, with 85 ft (26 m) of climbing and a 1% average grade.
Biggest climbs
- Miles 6.4 to 6.8: climbs about 60 ft (18 m).
- Miles 16.7 to 16.9: climbs about 55 ft (17 m).
- Miles 20.5 to 21.6: climbs about 80 ft (24 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:31 here (1 minute slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:01 here (1 minute slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:32 here (2 minutes slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 ft | 20 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 2 | 60 ft | 48 ft | 8:03 | 9:12 | 10:22 |
| 3 | 51 ft | 27 ft | 8:10 | 9:20 | 10:29 |
| 4 | 49 ft | 64 ft | 7:54 | 9:02 | 10:10 |
| 5 | 21 ft | 4 ft | 8:06 | 9:15 | 10:25 |
| 6 | 22 ft | 45 ft | 7:52 | 9:00 | 10:07 |
| 7 | 59 ft | 21 ft | 8:17 | 9:28 | 10:38 |
| 8 | 1 ft | 28 ft | 7:51 | 8:58 | 10:06 |
| 9 | 50 ft | 50 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:15 |
| 10 | 38 ft | 46 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:11 |
| 11 | 39 ft | 29 ft | 8:03 | 9:12 | 10:21 |
| 12 | 42 ft | 62 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:08 |
| 13 | 10 ft | 8 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 14 | 40 ft | 27 ft | 8:04 | 9:13 | 10:22 |
| 15 | 14 ft | 17 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 16 | 30 ft | 9 ft | 8:08 | 9:18 | 10:27 |
| 17 | 85 ft | 33 ft | 8:24 | 9:36 | 10:48 |
| 18 | 23 ft | 94 ft | 7:41 | 8:47 | 9:53 |
| 19 | 32 ft | 23 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 20 | 36 ft | 13 ft | 8:10 | 9:19 | 10:29 |
| 21 | 79 ft | 46 ft | 8:14 | 9:25 | 10:36 |
| 22 | 56 ft | 78 ft | 7:52 | 9:00 | 10:07 |
| 23 | 7 ft | 38 ft | 7:50 | 8:57 | 10:04 |
| 24 | 13 ft | 26 ft | 7:55 | 9:02 | 10:10 |
| 25 | 18 ft | 13 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:18 |
| 26 | 27 ft | 13 ft | 8:04 | 9:14 | 10:23 |
| Last 0.2 | 3 ft | 31 ft | 1:41 | 1:55 | 2:09 |
Explore the Santa Cruz Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
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About the Santa Cruz Marathon
The Santa Cruz Marathon starts on Beach Street beside the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and runs south through seaside streets to Capitola Village before turning back toward Santa Cruz. Marathoners also run north to the trails and ocean-view sections of Wilder Ranch State Park, and every distance finishes near Cowell Beach. A half marathon and 5K run the same morning, and the marathon has a six-hour time limit.
