Goleta Beach Half Marathon

The Half Marathon is an out-and-back course that begins at Goleta Beach Park and runs along a dedicated bike and run path. This path is nearly flat, which makes it ideal for those seeking a personal best. Runners start at the west end of Goleta Beach Park (UCSB Campus side) and run toward the Park’s entrance bridge. They then turn left over the bridge, then right onto the bike path and continue towards Santa Barbara. At the 1.6-mile mark, runners will cross Patterson Avenue where there is a chance of vehicle traffic. Volunteers will be present to caution runners and vehicles. Runners should not be affected by vehicle traffic but should be cautious just the same.  After Crossing Patterson Avenue, the Half Marathon runners will cross a small bridge and immediately merge right onto a hard-packed soil surface. This surface is nearly ideal for running and most runners prefer it over the asphalt path. This is a scenic route which runs along Atascadero Creek for 1.33 miles then merges back onto the paved bike path and over another bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge, runners continue east to the turnaround at Puente Avenue. After making the turnaround at Puente, runners will once again cross the bridge and stay on the PAVED bike path heading back to the Park. To make it simple, while heading OUT to the Puente turnaround, runners will take the CREEK PATH. While heading BACK to the Park, runners will take the PAVED PATH. As Half Marathoners return to the Park, at the end of their 1st loop, they will cross the Goleta Beach entrance BRIDGE and make the counterclockwise turn around the “ROCK”, then head back out for their 2nd and final lap. Upon returning to the Park for the 2nd time, Half Marathon runners will cross the entrance bridge once again, but this time run pass the “ROCK”, turn right, and head to the Finish Line.