Race The Flame

  • Date Sat 17th October 2026
  • Time 8:00AM PDT
  • Location Santa Cruz, California
  • Price $20.00
  • Races 2 races

Event summary

Get ready for an exhilarating day at the Race The Flame event on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the beautiful Santa Cruz! This exciting 2.3-mile run/walk takes place on the scenic UCSC campus, beginning at East Field and ending at the Bay Tree Campus Bookstore. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself as a competitive runner or enjoy a leisurely stroll with friends and family, this event is perfect for everyone, with adults participating for just $20 and kids 12 and under for $15.

Race The Flame not only offers an opportunity to test your speed and endurance but also emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness in our community. After crossing the finish line, join us at the emergency preparedness fair where local organizations will provide valuable information on how to stay safe during wildfires and other emergencies. With registration open online until 7:45 AM on race day, make sure to sign up early and arrive with plenty of time to pick up your bib and get ready for the fun. Don’t miss this chance to engage with your community and enhance your preparedness skills while enjoying a fantastic day outdoors!

Organiser's Description

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RACE DAY REGISTRATION:

RACE DAY REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON-LINE UNTIL 7:45 AM ON OCTOBER 17. YOU MUST USE YOUR PHONE OR COMPUTER TO REGISTER BEFORE GETTING TO THE START LINE AREA. SO IF YOU WAKE UP AND DECIDE TO RUN SIGN UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME OR USE YOUR PHONE ONCE YOU GET ONSITE. THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM WILL CLOSE AT 7:45. ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED PLEASE COME TO THE START LINE AREA AND JOIN THE BIB PICKUP LINE AND WE WILL ASSIGN YOUR BIB NUMBER.

GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO GET TO THE START FROM THE PARKING AREA AT EAST REMOTE PARKING. RACE INTRODUCTIONS AND RACE ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL START AT 7:45 AND WE PLAN TO START THIS EVENT ON TIME AT 8:00 AM AS A GUN START. SO IF YOURE LATE IT JUST ADDS TO YOUR TIME AND THERE WONT BE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TIMING FOR LATE STARTS.

Are you ready? If you had to escape a wildfire in Santa Cruz how long would it take you to run or walk to reach safety? Would you know which way to go? Heres your chance to test yourself and gain knowledge about wildfires and their impact on our community.

Join the second award-winning emergency preparedness run/walk in Santa Cruz - hosted by the City of Santa Cruz and The University of California at Santa Cruz.

Adults are only $20 and kids 12 and under are $15. This will automatically be calculated at check-out.

Each participant will receive a bib with a timing chip regardless of which category you select. Competitive runners should pick the run option. Walkers and strollers will start after competitive runners.

Because this event takes place on the UCSC campus there is a strict "no dogs" policy, so please plan on leaving your pooch at home.

BACKGROUND

Race the Flame combines a community fun run, and an wildfire and emergency preparedness fair hosted by the City of Santa Cruz at the finish line.

This event reinforces the community commitment to emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation. It highlights the shared responsibility to protect our community.

The race begins on the UCSC campus at the East Field and follows a route down Coolidge Drive with an ending at the Bay Tree Campus Bookstore and High Street. The total distance is 2.3 miles from start to finish.

At the finish line, an emergency preparedness fair will celebrate community resilience. Community-based organizations will share emergency preparedness information with the community. The fair will focus community attention on the need for 72 hours of personal and household preparedness.

During the registration process you will be asked if you would like to opt into Cruz Aware, the local emergency notification service. Find more information by clicking tab above.

Parking will be available at the East Remote Parking Lot on Hagar Drive. Shuttle busses will be available to take you from the finish line up to your car or bike.

Races

  • Race the Flame Run

    Incl. Race the Flame Shirt

    Sat 17th October 2026 (8:00AM PDT)

    $20.00

    CLOSED
    There is special pricing for participants 12 and under.
  • Race the Flame Walk

    Incl. T-Shirt Giveaway

    Sat 17th October 2026 (8:00AM PDT)

    $20.00

    CLOSED

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Location

1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, 95064, CA, United States

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