2021 Registration
Registration is now available to the LIVE 2021 Little Wharf 3-Miler.
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 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.
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)
- Block 2: $35 (501-1,000 Participants)
- Block 3: $38 (1,001-1500 Participants)
- Block 4: $41 (1,501-2,000 Participants)
- Block 5: $44 (2,001-2500 Participants)
- Block 6: $47 (2,501-3,000 Participants)
*Block pricing may switch to set date price increases depending on County and State capacity limits.
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.
Race Day Info
RACE DATE: September 25, 2021
START TIME: 8:00am
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 3,000 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 on Thursday and Friday, September 23 & 24 prior to the race. Time and location TBD. There will also be a paid bib mailing option for those who cannot make the packet pickup. To purchase bib mailing ($10 per bib), click here.
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.
*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).
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 rabbit running 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.
