Parking was pretty easy for this race, as long as you come earlier than 30 minutes prior to race start (I didn't) there was a lot of metered street parking, which doesn't start collecting until 10:00 am. The Boardwalk also opens the main lot closest to the Coconut Grove, the fee is $10, which may be a good choice if you are planning on staying the day down there.

This race begins at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz and ends on the beach next to the Santa Cruz pier. The finish dumps you onto the beach where you run approximately 75 feet in the sand to the finish line. The weather started overcast at 50 degrees and finished with the sun out at 62 degrees.

The race meanders south to the town of Capitola and though it and back toward the start. The ocean is in view for most of the race. It was very well managed with volunteers at almost every corner. The aid stations also had a lot of volunteers and were ready for the masses wether you wanted, sports drink (gator aid I believe, I didn't partake), and gels.

When you get to the finish your medal is handed out, and then there was the New Leaf Market (sponsor) handing out paper grocery bags filled with food (bagel, nut butter spread, banana, a Clif nut bar and a few other things I can't remember). There was also a free massage, which I did not get, but a nice option.

There were three hill climbs in this course. The first was an easy grade, about mile one, the second was about mile 2 1/2, and the third is on the way back north as you leave downtown Capitola at mile 6.2ish. This was an easy course as far as the elevation goes with a total ascent of 59 feet.

Overall, I really enjoyed this race. I was able to get a new half PR of 1:45:21. It was well attended with around 1200 people and combined with a full marathon that kept running north to Wilder Ranch (and back).

I will probably be back next year.