Colleen B.'s profile

   

Come to Santa Cruz and run in one of the most beautiful spots in California. You start the race right next to the historical Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The trek heads along West Cliff Drive past the lighthouse and the infamous Steamer Lane, where you can catch some of the local surfers shredding down the face of the waves. It is a pretty awesome sight! Reach Natural Bridges State Park and wind your way through the streets until you join the bike path that parallels Highway One. It is flat and fast and takes you into Wilder Ranch, A dairy farm, it appears to be frozen in time, with buildings that reflect back to an earlier period of our history on the coast of California. But the best is yet to come. You join up with a dirt path that literally runs along the cliffs with the Pacific Ocean churning below. It is so awe inspiring. My mind's eyes visualizes this group of thrill seekers out on a run on the very edge of the North America Continent. Three thousand miles of terra firma stand between us and the Atlantic Ocean!! And here we are traversing along a path that can take us no farther west. It is a great feeling!! You say goodbye to this part of the run and head back to Santa Cruz covering the same turf you did on the way out. A beach finish and you can kick back and know that only a select few have ever had the privilege of running on the edge of the North American Continent, and you were one of them!!!

   

What a great race for women!!! I only did the run portion of a relay team, but never felt like I was not one of the full triathlete participants. The crowd cheered as I looped through the transition area four separate times as I ran and when I headed up the homestretch my name and the name of my teammates was called by the announcer which was an added bonus, making me pick up the pace and finish in style!! The course for the run is rolling with moderate ups and downs, but nothing that is too tough to tackle. You wind by vineyards and fields of cattle that are unimpressed with the athlete's pursuits. The course is shaded by towering oak trees that add to the ambiance. Well stocked and well placed aid stations full of enthusiastic volunteers help click off the 13.1 miles. I think this is an enjoyable race and it is always well attended. It was a great day and being in the wine country added to the excitement. Plus, it is for such a worthy cause!

   

What better spot to do a fast paced triathlon than Santa Cruz!! If there is any pain it vanishes with the vistas from the flat and fast course. A quick swim next to the historic Santa Cruz Wharf starts off the morning. Run a block or so up to the bike transition for a fast and scenic loop course that is over before you know it!! Then back to the transition for a beautiful run above the bluffs of Cowell's Beach and Steamer Lane. You pass the Lighthouse twice and have a fast finish with a slight downhill that zooms you through the arch of balloons that welcome you. The race organizers are AWESOME! First or last, they are enthusiastic and supportive of every participant! I have done this with two of my kids and found it to be a great family event! I highly recommend making a weekend of racing and enjoying the eclectic Santa Cruz sights.

   

The name of the race caught my attention because I am a big fan of the Beatles! Plus, it was not too far from my home. Now I know why it has the name it does!! I pedaled past fields and fields of strawberries on scenic back roads. The fragrance wafted in the air, making the whole experience unforgettable!! Several members of our family took part. I was happy that there were three different distances because I went with the younger and less experienced riders on the 25 mile course. The others were more warriors and tackled the longer distance, We all laughed and pedaled and enjoyed the scenery and the lazy feeling that being on the country roads provided. The pit stops for drinks and goodies were welcome and well stocked, not only with nutritious food, but with friendly volunteers. My only regret was that the 25 miles was over too quickly and the fun of the day became only a memory, but a memory I will always cherish. Join the next ride of the Strawberry Fields Forever and it will be a day well spent on the Central California Coast.

   

Want a challenge and be inspired by the beauty of nature? Then head to the Central Coast of California and participate in the Big Sur Marathon. It is a race for the brave of heart due to the rural nature of the course and not a lot of crowd support, but the vistas are worth every step of this unique marathon. Lots of uphills and downhills, but with the end goal in mind of the finish line in Carmel and friends and family waiting to cheer you along the last push, will carry you through. The one long grind is at Hurricane Point. A steady uphill march but to reach the top was a highlight. Not too far after that you see a sign on the side of the course that says, "Look back and see where you have just come." It is nothing short of AMAZING. The California Coast with the wild ocean and rocks in the sweeping vista make this a race I would highly recommend. I am very proud that I can say I have done the Big Sur Marathon. Now you go and do the same!!

   

I loved this race. You start on the beach under the Santa Cruz Wharf and run to the Band Stand at Capitola Beach. Where else can you compete in such a unique setting. But the best part is you run on the sand where you can run and when you reach a land obstacle, you jump in the ocean and swim around it! I had never swam outside the entrance of the Santa Cruz Harbor. Gain a whole different perspective from the water view.It is different every year due to tides and surf conditions. You feel very safe in the water because it is well staffed with experienced surfers and paddleboarders guiding you along. I have done marathons, long distance open water swims, triathlons, races of all types and this one was ranked as one of the BEST! What can top running barefoot on the sand and then jumping into the Ocean. I would recommend this race to anyone who likes a challenge and wants to compete in a unique race and setting. It will be a memory you savor for years. I cannot wait to compete again this year! It was AWESOME!