Race The Flame
Race The Flame is a running race on October 17, 2026 in Santa Cruz, CA, with an entry fee of $20.
- Date
- October 17, 2026 (5 days to go)
- Location
- 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA
- Price
- $20
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
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? Here’s 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.
Events
Race-Day Forecast
Live forecast from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Race day
Saturday, 10/17
High
83°
Low
55°
Conditions
Sunny
Chance of Rain
0%
Wind
0 to 5 mph
About Santa Cruz, CA
City Elevation
36 ft
Nearest Airport
SJC
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport · 26 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Race The Flame, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
5
Days to train
- Race
- Race The Flame
- Date
- October 17, 2026
- Location
- 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA
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About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
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Running
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Race The Flame
Oct 17, 2026