2021 Registration
Registration is now available to the LIVE 2021 Little Wharf 3-Miler.
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY
With recent progress and policy changes, we are excited to be hosting the Little Wharf 3-Miler as a LIVE event this year on September 25th, 2021. We will be going on sale for Virtual Wharf to Wharf and will be offering “Stress-Free” Little Wharf 3-Miler registration.
What does Stress-Free registration mean? If you registered July 31st or earlier, and for some reason we are unable to host a live event on September 25th due to the pandemic, you will be offered 100% refund of all registration fees.
If you registered on August 1st or later, and for some reason we are unable to host a live event due to the pandemic, an option for a partial refund or virtual experience will be offered.
Other than that, there are no refunds allowed for the Little Wharf 3-Miler.
REGISTRATION
How do I sign up?
Registration will only be available at www.wharftowharf.com.
When do I sign up?:
Registration will be available privately on April 20th & 21st, and publicly available on Thursday, April 22nd. See below for registration windows:
1.) April 20-21: 2020 Virtual WTW participants will have a special, 2-day, discounted registration window ($5 OFF final price) where they can register for Virtual Wharf to Wharf and/or Little Wharf by using an access code. The access code will be emailed to last years participants on Monday, April 19th. This registration period will open Tuesday, April 20th at 7am.
2.) April 22: Registration will open to the general public on Thursday, April 22nd at 7am.
Are there different types of registration and how much will it cost?:
There will be 2 types of registration for Little Wharf in 2021:
1.) Little Wharf 3-Miler (Standard Swag)
– Which includes Finisher Medal, Beach Tote Bag, & Personalized Bib #.
2.) Little Wharf 3-Miler (Standard Swag + Finishers Hat)
– Same swag as above but you’ll also get the Little Wharf Finishers Hat we’ve offered in the past, but for just $10 more.
Registration will be sold in blocks of 500 at the following prices:
Block 1: $32 (First 500 Participants) SOLD OUTBlock 2: $35 (501-1,000 Participants) SOLD OUTBlock 3: $38 (1,001-1250 Participants) SOLD OUTBlock 4: $41 (1,251-1,500 Participants) SOLD OUT- Block 5: $44 (1,501-1,750 Participants)
- Block 6: $47 (1,751-2,000 Participants)
*Block pricing may switch to set date price increases depending on County and State capacity limits.
MERCHANDISE & EVENT HAT: Please see below on how to get your merchandise or event hat.
- Event Hat (Available POST-Race ONLY)
If you added on an event hat or registered for the hat add-on, you will have a sticker on your bib number to show you have purchased a hat. Your hat will will be available POST-Race ONLY at the Wharf to Wharf tents! We will not be mailing the hats out, nor will we have them available at packet pickup.
- Race Merchandise (Sweatshirt or Shirt)
All participants who purchased a sweatshirt or shirt should have paid for merchandise shipping. These items will be mailed out race week to your registration address. Items will not be available at packet pickup or post-race.
RACE BIB – IN PERSON PACKET PICKUP: As mentioned above, if you do not pay to have your bib mailed to you, here are our packet pickup options:
- Tuesday – Friday, September 21st – 24th
TIME: 12pm-6pm
LOCATION: Fleet Feet Sports Aptos (7960 Soquel Dr suite i, Aptos, CA 95003)
- Saturday (Race Day), September 25th
TIME: 5:45am-7:30am
LOCATION: Race Start Line @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center (*This will be a limited bib pickup with potentially long lines. Please use other options above unless absolutely necessary.*)
TRANSFERRING TO VIRTUAL RACE: If you have not recently registered for the Little Wharf Virtual Race, you are entered in the LIVE Little Wharf 3-Mile event.
- If you registered for the “Virtual Wharf to Wharf + Little Wharf” event during Wharf to Wharf registration back in the Spring, you registered for the LIVE Little Wharf race.
- Prefer to complete your race Little Wharf 3-Miler virtually? You can purchase Virtual Race shipping to transfer your registration to virtual. The deadline to purchase the Virtual Race Shipping Fee is by Tuesday, September 21st at 12pm Noon for each registration you’d like transferred to virtual. We will not be able to transfer your registration to virtual after this date.
- If you transfer your registration to virtual, you will be emailed instructions on how you can complete the race on your own and participate in the event virtually. Your event swag will be mailed to you post-event.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE VIRTUAL RACE SHIPPING
What do I get for signing up?
- Finishers Medal
- Beach Tote Bag
- Personalized Bib Number
- Nuun Hydration Product
- Cookie from Pacific Cookie Co.
- Little Wharf Finisher Hat (for just $10 more)
Will there be a Kids Little Wharf Race?
While we don’t necessarily have a Kids Little Wharf Race, the normal Little Wharf 3-Miler is 100% kid friendly. In fact, we had over 500 children 17 & Under participate at the last Little Wharf 3-Miler.
The 3-mile race, with fully shut down roads, is the perfect introduction race for children who are looking to try out a longer distance. It is also a perfect event for parents/grandparents to run/walk a race with their kids for the first time.
Is the Kid’s swag or registration cost any different?
The swag is the same for both kids and adults for the Little Wharf 3-Miler event. However, once the price goes up to $35, it will remain fixed for ages 17 & Under throughout the duration of registration until sellout.
Capitola Beach Festival
In continuing tradition with last year, the Little Wharf 3-Miler will kick off the Capitola Beach Festival on Saturday morning. During the race on Saturday will be the Sand Sculpture Contest, followed by Children’s Art and the Lighted Nautical Parade. Sunday, September 26, will start with the Fishing Derby and Horseshoe Contest, Chalk Art on the Seawall and finish with Rowboat Races! Come on out and experience the entire weekend and support the community!
Race Day Info
RACE DATE: September 25, 2021
START TIME: 8:00am
COVID RACE POLICIES
It is recommended that all participants wear a face covering at all indoor venues, including packet pickup and buses. We recommend all participants wear a face covering at all outdoor venues where social distancing of at least 6 feet is not possible.
Participants are encouraged to social distance (6 feet) throughout the duration of the event.
*Covid Race policies are subject to change as new information, regulations and recommendations are handed down to us by State, County and City officials.*
More Race Details
REGISTRATION: Registration for the 3rd Running of the Little Wharf 3-Miler opens with Virtual Wharf to Wharf registration on April 20, 2021 and will be capped at 2,000 participants.
LOCATION: The Little Wharf Race starts at the East Cliff Village Shopping Center and finishes inside Capitola Village in the Capitola Esplanade.
PACKET PICKUP: Packet pickup will be offered Tuesday through Friday, September 21-24 prior to the race at Fleet Feet Sports Aptos (7960 Soquel Dr suite i, Aptos, CA 95003). There will also be a paid bib mailing option for those who cannot make the packet pickup. If you would like to have your bib number mailed to you ($10 per bib), the deadline to do so is Monday, September 13th. To purchase, click here.
MERCHANDISE & EVENT HAT INFO: Please see below on how to get your merchandise or event hat.
- Event Hat (Available POST-Race ONLY)
If you added on an event hat or registered for the hat add-on, you will have a sticker on your bib number to show you have purchased a hat. Your hat will will be available POST-Race ONLY at the Wharf to Wharf tents! We will not be mailing the hats out, nor will we have them available at packet pickup.
- Race Merchandise (Sweatshirt or Shirt)
All participants who purchased a sweatshirt or shirt should have paid for merchandise shipping. These items will be mailed out race week to your registration address. Items will not be available at packet pickup or post-race.
TRANSFERRING TO VIRTUAL RACE: If you have not recently registered for the Little Wharf Virtual Race, you are entered in the LIVE Little Wharf 3-Mile event.
- If you registered for the “Virtual Wharf to Wharf + Little Wharf” event during Wharf to Wharf registration back in the Spring, you registered for the LIVE Little Wharf race.
- Prefer to complete your race Little Wharf 3-Miler virtually? You can purchase Virtual Race shipping to transfer your registration to virtual. The deadline to purchase the Virtual Race Shipping Fee is by Tuesday, September 21st at 12pm Noon for each registration you’d like transferred to virtual. We will not be able to transfer your registration to virtual after this date.
- If you transfer your registration to virtual, you will be emailed instructions on how you can complete the race on your own and participate in the event virtually. Your event swag will be mailed to you post-event.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE VIRTUAL RACE SHIPPING
GETTING TO THE START LINE (Parking & Shuttles): Since the East Cliff Village Shopping Center will not be available for participants to park on race day due to the build and setup of the start line, there will be very little parking available in and around the Start Line. Therefore, we encourage participants to utilize the complimentary, pre-race shuttles available at the Capitola Mall. They will be running from 6:00am until 7:30am.
START CORRALS: The Little Wharf 3-Miler starting area is separated into corrals in order to organize everyone by their run/walk pace, and to prevent congestion. We will be providing enough space for all participants to properly practice social distancing at the start line.
*As stated on our registration page, on our website and in our Race Instructions, Joggers/Strollers and dogs are not permitted and will not be allowed to enter the Start Corral under any circumstance. This is a safety policy.
BIB NUMBERS: DON’T FORGET YOUR BIB NUMBER! Your bib number is your ticket to access all race venues, including your ticket onto the shuttle buses before and after the race! The timing chip strip on the back will record your official starting-line-to-finish-line race time enabling you to check your results online.
THE COURSE
COURE DETAILS: The net downhill, coastal three-mile race is a great opportunity to run fast and take in the beauty of the Santa Cruz & Capitola coastline. Early Fall presents some of the best weather in the county, so you are likely going to experience beautiful weather out on the course.
START: The race begins East Cliff Village Shopping Center
MILE 1: The first mile is net downhill, but has rolling hills along the ocean, passing by Blacks Beach, Sunny Cove Beach, and Moe’s Beach at the Corcoran Lagoon, before finishing at 26th Beach.
MILE 2: Mile 2 starts with a small hill, but is mostly flat, hugging the coastline on East Cliff Drive at Pleasure Point, home of the legendary surf spots, “The Hook“ and “Pleasure Point.”
MILE 3: The final mile drifts through local seaside streets… once the ocean reappears; it’s a big downhill past the Capitola Wharf and into the Esplanade.
FINISH: The Finish Line is on Capitola Esplanade in the Capitola Village.
For your safety, the course is closed to all vehicular traffic, including skateboards, bikes, wagons, wheelbarrows, roller skates/blades and baby jogger/strollers. Pets are prohibited. Mile posts are marked and splits will be called at each mile. All participants must maintain a 20-minute-per-mile pace.
FIRST AID: Help is always at hand. Emergency medical services are available on course and at the FINISH. Watch for running medics with fanny packs and specially marked tee shirt interspersed throughout the field.
WATER STATION: This year, you will be responsible for your own water at the start line and on the course. If you feel you need liquids while participating, please BYOW (bring your own water). Water will be available at the finish line.
THE FINISH
FINISH & POST-RACE: The Finish Line is on Capitola Esplanade in the Capitola Village. Race finishers get food, water, the 3rd Running of the Little Wharf 3-Miler hat and Capitola Beach Bag after they finish. The top 30 overall male and female finishers will receive a coveted Top 30 Tank provided by ASICS apparel.
WATER AT FINISH LINE: While we will not have a water station on course, we will have water for you at the finish line.
TRANSPORTATION POST-RACE: After the race, free shuttles will run from Wharf Road near Shadowbrook Restaurant back to the Capitola Mall from 9am until 10:45am.
RESULTS & PHOTOS: Complimentary race photos and results will be available online after the conclusion of the event. Results can be viewed HERE.
Capitola Beach Festival
The 3rd Running of the Little Wharf 3-Miler will once again be partnering with the Capitola Beach Festival. For 65 years, the Capitola Begonia Festival was a staple in the Santa Cruz County event world, but when the events bloom growing partners ceased operations, the Begonia Festival came to an end as well.
However, the committee reorganized and created the Capitola Beach Festival with many of the same fantastic events, and also decided to partner with Wharf to Wharf Race, Inc.
THE COURSE
COURE DETAILS: The net downhill, coastal three-mile race is a great opportunity to run fast and take in the beauty of the Santa Cruz & Capitola coastline. Early Fall presents some of the best weather in the county, so you are likely going to experience beautiful weather out on the course.
START: The race begins East Cliff Village Shopping Center
MILE 1: The first mile is net downhill, but has rolling hills along the ocean, passing by Blacks Beach, Sunny Cove Beach, and Moe’s Beach at the Corcoran Lagoon, before finishing at 26th Beach.
MILE 2: Mile 2 starts with a small hill, but is mostly flat, hugging the coastline on East Cliff Drive at Pleasure Point, home of the legendary surf spots, “The Hook“ and “Pleasure Point.”
MILE 3: The final mile drifts through local seaside streets… once the ocean reappears; it’s a big downhill past the Capitola Wharf and into the Esplanade.
FINISH: The Finish Line is on Capitola Esplanade in the Capitola Village.
For your safety, the course is closed to all vehicular traffic, including skateboards, bikes, wagons, wheelbarrows, roller skates/blades and baby jogger/strollers. Pets are prohibited. Mile posts are marked and splits will be called at each mile. All participants must maintain a 20-minute-per-mile pace.
WATER & FIRST AID: Help is always at hand. Emergency medical services are available on course and at the FINISH. Watch for running medics with fanny packs and specially marked tee shirt interspersed throughout the field. There will be one water station on course at mile 1.5.
Bib Number OPTIONS
RACE BIB – MAILING OPTION: For those of you who have yet to purchase bib mailing, you have until end of day Monday, September 13th to purchase. If you HAVE NOT registered yet, you can select “Bib Mailing” as an add-on item when registering for an extra $10. If you have registered, you can PURCHASE BIB MAILING HERE.
If you decide against paying the $10 to have your bib number mailed to you, you will have to pick up your bib number at one of our packet pickups leading up to the race. Details below:
RACE BIB – IN PERSON PACKET PICKUP: As mentioned above, if you do not pay to have your bib mailed to you, here are our packet pickup options:
- Tuesday – Friday, September 21st – 24th
TIME: 12pm-6pm
LOCATION: Fleet Feet Sports Aptos (7960 Soquel Dr suite i, Aptos, CA 95003)
- Saturday (Race Day), September 25th
TIME: 5:45am-7:30am
LOCATION: Race Start Line @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center (*This will be a limited bib pickup with potentially long lines. Please use other options above unless absolutely necessary.*)
MERCHANDISE & EVENT HAT: Please see below on how to get your merchandise or event hat.
- Event Hat (Available POST-Race ONLY)
If you added on an event hat or registered for the hat add-on, you will have a sticker on your bib number to show you have purchased a hat. Your hat will will be available POST-Race ONLY at the Wharf to Wharf tents! We will not be mailing the hats out, nor will we have them available at packet pickup.
- Race Merchandise (Sweatshirt or Shirt)
All participants who purchased a sweatshirt or shirt should have paid for merchandise shipping. These items will be mailed out race week to your registration address. Items will not be available at packet pickup or post-race.
RACE BIB – IN PERSON PACKET PICKUP: As mentioned above, if you do not pay to have your bib mailed to you, here are our packet pickup options:
- Tuesday – Friday, September 21st – 24th
TIME: 12pm-6pm
LOCATION: Fleet Feet Sports Aptos (7960 Soquel Dr suite i, Aptos, CA 95003)
- Saturday (Race Day), September 25th
TIME: 5:45am-7:30am
LOCATION: Race Start Line @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center (*This will be a limited bib pickup with potentially long lines. Please use other options above unless absolutely necessary.*)
TRANSFERRING TO VIRTUAL RACE: If you have not recently registered for the Little Wharf Virtual Race, you are entered in the LIVE Little Wharf 3-Mile event.
- If you registered for the “Virtual Wharf to Wharf + Little Wharf” event during Wharf to Wharf registration back in the Spring, you registered for the LIVE Little Wharf race.
- Prefer to complete your race Little Wharf 3-Miler virtually? You can purchase Virtual Race shipping to transfer your registration to virtual. The deadline to purchase the Virtual Race Shipping Fee is by Tuesday, September 21st at 12pm Noon for each registration you’d like transferred to virtual. We will not be able to transfer your registration to virtual after this date.
- If you transfer your registration to virtual, you will be emailed instructions on how you can complete the race on your own and participate in the event virtually. Your event swag will be mailed to you post-event.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE VIRTUAL RACE SHIPPING
Results Option to Switch Your registration to Virtual
If you registered for both the Virtual Wharf to Wharf Race and Little Wharf 3-Miler together during the Wharf to Wharf registration this Spring, you are registered for the LIVE Little Wharf 3-Miler. We recently created the option for registrants to switch to Virtual. There is a $7 fee to get your items mailed to you post-race.
TRANSFERRING TO VIRTUAL RACE: If you have not recently registered for the Virtual Little Wharf Race, you are entered in the LIVE Little Wharf 3-Mile event.
- If you registered for the “Virtual Wharf to Wharf + Little Wharf” event during Wharf to Wharf registration back in the Spring, you registered for the LIVE Little Wharf race.
- Prefer to complete your race Little Wharf 3-Miler virtually? You can purchase Virtual Race shipping to transfer your registration to virtual. The deadline to purchase the Virtual Race Shipping Fee is by Tuesday, September 21st at 12pm Noon for each registration you’d like transferred to virtual. We will not be able to transfer your registration to virtual after this date.
- If you transfer your registration to virtual, you will be emailed instructions on how you can complete the race on your own and participate in the event virtually. Your event swag will be mailed to you post-event.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE VIRTUAL RACE SHIPPING
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
BEFORE THE RACE – GETTING TO THE START LINE
Where to park and how to get to the start of the race:
(Parking & Shuttles): Since the East Cliff Village Shopping Center will NOT be available for participants to park on race day due to the build and setup of the start line, there will be very little parking available around the Start Line. Therefore, we encourage participants to utilize the complimentary, pre-race shuttles available at the Capitola Mall. They will be running from 6:00am until 7:30am. Below is a map of where to pick up the shuttle.
SHUTTLE COVID POLICY
On shuttles/buses, masks ARE required for 100% of adults and children, regardless of vaccination status or recent negative tests. All windows will remain open during the duration of shuttle operation.
AFTER THE RACE – GETTING BACK TO MY CAR
After the race, you can either make the short walk from the Capitola Village back to your vehicle at the Capitola Mall, or you can take the free shuttles will run from Wharf Road near Shadowbrook Restaurant back to the Capitola Mall from 9am until 10:45am.
Road Closures
The Little Wharf 3-Miler starts at the East Cliff Village Shopping Center at 8:00am and finishes in the Capitola Village.
The following streets will be closed:
- 7:45AM – 8:30AM: East Cliff Drive (from Prospect St/12th Ave to 17th Ave)
- 7:45AM – 9:00AM: East Cliff Drive (from 17th Ave to 41st Ave)
- 8:00AM – 9:00AM: Opal Cliff Drive (from 41stAve to Cliff Dr)
- 8:00AM – 10:30AM: Cliff Drive (from Opal Cliff Dr to Capitola Ave)
- 8:00AM – 10:30AM: Wharf Road & Stockton Avenue
- 8:00AM – 11:30AM: Capitola Esplanade & San Jose Avenue
