Fun Times at the Surfer's Path Marathon

This past weekend was the Surfer's Path Marathon in Santa Cruz, and I spent some quality time volunteering on the beach. The corresponding half marathon is called the Capitola Half because it runs only the Capitola half of the marathon course. I had a blast at the event and am now resigned to run this marathon next year! I loved the race setting, the weather, the beach finish, the medals, and the general happiness of everyone involved.

Packet pick-up was held on the beach in Capitola on Saturday, and I headed up in the afternoon to check out the beach and expo tents. They had a few vendors in tents along the beach sidewalk, and there were tons of people hanging out on the beach. I jumped in to help with packet pick up for the last hour or so to relieve others. It was a smooth process, easy to grab bib numbers and t-shirts. The race directors were available and on the ball to answer any questions. Friends Elise and Alisyn were on the race committee, and they clearly did a ton of work for the event too including volunteering all day Saturday and Sunday (not to mention the work they did in the months prior to the event.)

With Elise and Alisyn on Capitola Beach (photo credit: Alisyn)

After the expo clean up was complete, we headed to the Crow's Nest for dinner with ocean views. Santa Cruz is gorgeous; we really need to spend more time there.

View from our table.

Sunday we had an early 4 am wake up call to get to the start line for set up and registration. I was strangely awake, perhaps thanks to Alisyn making us coffee first thing. She was prepared with the coffee press! I couldn't believe how chilly it was in the morning, and I'd only brought shorts so I froze for a while. Lesson (that should already have been) learned: the coast is cold and probably windy in the morning.

Working the table for last-minute bib pick ups.

Runners ready to go.

We watched the start and then headed to the finish area on the beach to set up. The finish area was awesome! It had the same beach sand finish as the Santa Cruz half held in April, but this race packed the sand with water so it wasn't as crazy on the feet when runners hit it. Good call race directors. 

We helped set up the finish chute and then organized the awards table, and I have to say these were some awesome awards! The age group awards were surf-themed photo frames with age awards inside, and the overall awards were custom mini surfboards. Wow. You know there good because almost everyone who came by the table tried to buy them. Boy do I need to be faster to get one of these!

 Mini surfboards for the Top 3 Overall in each event.

 Half Marathon age group awards.

Marathon age group awards.

There was plenty of time to hang out, cheer at the finish, and to enjoy the beach while we staffed the awards table. I also helped hand out awards to the athletes which I loved. Essentially, I felt like I had a perfect beach day with race energy. Many of the runners who finished hung out on the beach for a while, and I fully intend to kick off the running shoes and to enjoy the beach when I run this race.

Beach finish line.

Overall, I loved being a part of this event and can't wait to run it next year! The race directors did a wonderful job with logistics and race swag. There were a couple of small issues out of their hands, but they handled it like pros. From what I could see, runners had a great time and talked about coming back. If you want to run a beautiful May race along the coast, check this one out!