The Course is 13.1 + miles 21K.

The 2023 Santa Cruz Island 13.1 mile Eco extreme half marathon was Saturday November 4Th, 2023

THE COURSE CAN CHANGE DUE TO NATIONAL PARK PERMITS.

The same Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers will sign you in between 5am and 5:45 am at Island Packers 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura (at Ventura Harbor) and provide you with your race materials including race number and grab bag. If you're an early bird get  there at 5. If you procrastinate, get there at 5:30. You can bring change of clothes and other personal items that can fit in a day pack (please mark your bags) as the Island Packers Boat will be assigned to the race event for the whole day. You can get to your change of clothes (for the finish party) that will be delivered to the finish. 
We will depart at 6am Sharp. Allow plenty of time to park your car and get signed in. We can't wait for late arrivals.

GENERAL INFO:
Remember, we have about a 1 to 1.5 hour, private boat ride to Prisoners Harbor. The giant boat holds 146 passengers and is very stable. You can go to Island Packers website to check out the boat "Islander." www.islandpackers.com Please to be sure and thank Island Packers on race day for their transportation support.

Prisoners Harbor, is on the south east end of Santa Cruz Island. We will be greeted by NPS Rangers who will help us with the 5 minute island briefing-orientation. The race will begin at sea level and the rugged trail will climb to 1300 feet in about 2.7 miles to the 1st Comfort Station . We encourage runners to run with water bladders or waist packs with bottles. We will have a total of 5 aid stations with water and emergency medical care.

This is an "eco-race" and want to make sure there is no trash left on the trails (goo, wrappers etc).
Please carry out all water bottles and even micro trash..

The course is demanding and runners must be in excellent condition and have trail running experience. This is not a course for a first time trail racer. This is not a walk course. After the 2.7 mile mark the trail continues along a new ridge route for about 1 mile then it works down about a 1.6 mile hill. Then you will run along a central valley with new views and up a 1.4 mile hill back to the ridgeline, then back and forth easy ascent and decent- ascent ridgeline pattern towards the Navy Radar Site until  at which time you will reach the highest elevation of 1142 feet. (the views are awesome).  
 You will be challenged the first 7 miles and may not like us. Bear with the course, the payoff is huge with incredible Island Wilderness.

There will be a 4:00  hour cut-off time. 

We offer a wave early start 20 minutes prior fro runners who estimate a time beyond 3 hours.
We can't stress enough that this is a rugged, but one of a kind trail run. 
Trail Tips from our Official Course Designer and Runner:

As you top out at 1425 foot level, it becomes a nice, dirt, Ranger access road (with a trail feeling) that winds along the ridge line continuing west with views of the Pacific Ocean and other Channel Islands.  This part of the course is undulating, but all runnable with great views..

At the 9 mile mark you will max out at in elevation. This is the area about a mile from the Navy Radar Site. 

We will have 5 aid stations during the run. However, we really want runners to take at least one water bottle with them in a waist-hip type holder or a bladder. The interior central valley new portion of the race at the higher elevations can be 80 degrees when the start and finish at the coast is 65 degrees.

The view of the Pacific is endless. Watch out, you will head downhill from this point and many people say the last 2 miles down to the finish is as hard as the first two mile climb from the start. The final race finish will be on the trail, at about 353 feet above the ocean. It will be on a gentle upper meadow that is above Prisoners Harbor. Once you cross the actual finish line you will be given some water and can cool down as you walk about 300 yards to the actual Prisoners Harbor Day Use Area. 

We will provide finisher medals, lunch, water, lunch,  beer and wine to everyone at the day use area below the finish line.  You can retrieve any of your day packs with clothes, your own snacks etc at the day use area.

If you are in piss-pour shape, old, like me, the run will take 3 1/2 hours.

Look at the times from last year.

We have to cut off the course at 4 hours for safety.

Good luck, enjoy the day in the park and don't complain to me if you get tired or hurt.

Remember there is free catered food, free beer and free wine at the finish. "

COURSE. FINAL MILEAGE WILL BE 13.1 +- 
NOTE THE SCENIC MOUNTAIN TOP LOOP SECTIONS.
MAX ELEVATION 1425 FEET
AVERAGE SLOPE 9%
MAX SLOPE CLIMB 24.9 %
MAX SLOPE DOWNHILL 27%
We can give you example of trails in the Santa Monica mountains for training. Contact us at our email.

The National Park is majestic, make sure you take in the sights.  The remainder of the race is on trails that continue the pattern of hills and downhills. You will have an opportunity to see island wildlife including Fox and Bald Eagles. This is a Eco-Half Marathon. 
The focus of the event is to enjoy the National Park and promote healthy activities, all while supporting local children's charities.

FINISH:
You will be rewarded with great, free, catered lunch with tons of food by Aloha Steakhouse, free drinks, free wine from Opolo Wineries, free beer from Firestone Brewery. 

But wait there is more the best Finisher Medal ever designed and even a dip in the ocean..
The boat will depart for Ventura at 1:30pm and arrive back at your car by 2:45 to 3:30 PM
 

Frequent Asked Questions:
Prior Race Results: Click Here

Where do I show up Race day:   Island Packers 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura (at Ventura Harbor). For Directions: www.islandpackers.com

Car Parking:  We have plenty of parking at the harbor. Do not leave valuables in the car. We are not responsible for theft.

Race Packet Pick Up:  On RACE DAY rally on the grass area near the dock at Island Packers, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura (at Ventura Harbor).  Show up between 5:15 and 5:45 AM and be ready to walk onto the boat with your packet. You will get a race briefing on the boat ride out to the Island. The boat leaves at 6:00 AM sharp. You snooze you lose

Cancellation:  Our SEARCH AND RESCUE Attorney made us put this in ( Just a little pun): There are no COVID refunds. You can not resell or trade, LEND OR GIVE your entry to a friend. This includes if your dog stole your keys and you couldn't make it in time for the boat to leave the harbor. If a Tsunami or other act of God occurs we are just happy to be alive, no refund. 

IMPORTANT: There is no race plan B. If the Island Packers boat is unable to get to the island due to weather, NPS, HEALTH LAW, permits or policy that we can’t control, no general refund.)

If it is pouring rain, we will likely still go. You will be miserable and have the best story to tell your friends or friend, or dog,  for the rest of your life.

If the weather stops us from going to the island, you will have made a difference to a child with your donation and still get cool tee shirt and we will all have a wine and beer-fest at the harbor. So you get the idea, no refunds (Read Above ), this is 100% for charity.

IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE RACE, AND YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID. PLEASE TEXT US.
THIS IS A FUND RAISER 

What do I get for the entry fee:    Cool T-Shirt, we take pride in our T-Shirt designs. A nice finisher medal to show off to your friends back at work on Monday. Bragging Rights, yes, a great Half-Marathon-Eco-13.1 mile trail run.  It is unique and as rare as the Island Fox. Yes, this is the orginal Santa Cruz Island 13.1 mile Eco-Trail Run. 

What else? A great, free,  finisher party by our sponsors, beef, fish and vegi food wraps, salad, chips, cookies by Aloha Steakhouse, beer by Firestone Brewery and wine by Opolo Winery. We also have water, gatorade and sodas.  Dolphin and Whale watching both ways out to the island. Finally you get the satisfaction to help children through this fundraiser... In 2023, runners never stopped talking about the race finish party. We had great awards also.

Seasick:  If you get seasick, the run should help you get your land legs. If you can't run after the boatride out and feel you can't start the race, you will be taken to Prisoner's Harbor with the race starting crew and enjoy the finishers lunch and party, maybe the free wine and beer will help.. You could also go out the day before on your own and camp, recover from that boat ride and start the race fresh on Saturday. You would have to let us know ahead of time for logistics and also arrange your own Island Packers one-way ride out on Friday. No refund. Last year not one person pulled out of the race for any boat ride or ocean issues.

Waiver:   This  is a trail run and a boat ride. You must have a signed liability release waiver from active.com at registration. Again, our Attorney made us do it.

Can I bother Island Packers or National Park Service with Questions:    No. This is a  Non Profit Race. The National Park Service is not a sponsor of the race and does not have race details. Do not call Island Packers with race questions. They are gracious and donating a big chunk of the transportation for us, we don't want to bother them. So bother us, we have standby operators 24 hours a day to answer your emails (Okay maybe, a little time delay). We love email and running..

Breakfast, Water, Lunch:  Breakfast is on you. There is a galley with light snacks on the boat (bring some chump money). We will provide water at the start and at the four aid stations during the run. There will be food, water, beer and wine at the finish (all free). 
We encourage you to run with your own water, as our four aid stations will be basic aid and have limited water for each runner. Due to the remoteness of the wilderness, we will not fill large water bottles or back pack bladders at aid stations.

Medical:  We have MEDICS (PARAMEDICS AT STATIONS)  at all  aid stations. Please seek care from any staff member.

Aid Station:  We have water and first aid at the aid stations. Carry in your own trail-energy-food. It is mandatory that you carry out all trash. You will be disqualified for throwing any trash, including micro-trash such as goo tabs, peels, wrappers.

Timing:  We will have a timed USA Track & Field course.

Course Numbers: 

You must have your course number visible on your shorts or front of shirt at all times.
You will get your numbers at sign in at Ventura Harbor.

Cut Off Time: 

We hate cut off times. We have to incorporate one into this race due to the boat ride back and logistics. You will have to finish within 4:00 hours. Our aid stations will advise you if you won't make the cut off. You will be taken to the finish area and can enjoy the festivities. Email us if you have cut off questions. 

This is an extreme trail race and not for first time trail runners. Don't expect to do this if you are a trail walker. You won't make it. You have to practice for this run. We can set you up with comparable practice trails on the mainland. You need to have your trail event mileage long run up to 12 or 13 miles already before race day. 
PRACTICE ON HILLS, HILLS, HILLS

Expected weather / Temps on race day will start out as a cool boat ride out (bring sweats,pullovers to leave in your bag). In 2023, we had light fog at the start and in 15 minutes of running, blue skies. The Islander boat has interior (tables, benches) and exterior upper seating. The exterior can be windy and chilly if we have any fog. Normal race day can start at about 59-65 F. and will hit 80-85F in the upper , remote elevated mountain tops.
Last year it was nearly 80 at the summit and a cool 58 at the start.

Bathrooms: Yes. Wow, did we learn from last year. Read this three times to let it sink in. get it, Bathroom, "Sink In." Anyway, use the bathroom at the dock sign-in at Island Packers, and then use it again on the boat. Last year we had  runners use the outhouse at the start and it took 30 minutes to get everyone in and out of the bathroom. , the line was long at the start. No bathrooms mid course. Do not use toliet paper on the course.

Can I get a boat ride back to Scorpion from the finish: No the boat will start and leave from Prisoners (the START AND FINISH) to Ventura Harbor.

Pets, Bicycles: The National Park Service prohibits them.
 
Can I bring my own lunch:  Of Course. But no fires or cooking. Put the food in your personal  bag with your change of clothes, mark your bag.. 

Smoking: Do you even have to ask, No

Can I secure a campsite there?    NO NOT THIS YEAR

Is this an official distance race or is it a ½ marathon.  This is an timed race.  Ending up at 13.1 miles. 

Can I make arrangements to have my wife/ husband or friend come on the boat and join me at the finish. Yes, they have to sign up as a runner. Remember this is for charity, so fork out the money for your fan club.. 

CONTACT US:

VCSAR@runsantacruzisland.org

Phone
(805) 871-6077. TEXT ONLY

Please, we hate voice mails, WE ANSWER TEXTS, NEVER VOICE MAILS.

We are all Rescue volunteers and have work, lives, family and Volunteer service.

Text us is our preferred mode of communications.