Part of a series of trail runs that take place in parks and forests up and down the California and Oregon coasts, Santa Cruz’s San Lorenzo River Trail Run takes runners through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a park that’s filled with a centuries-old grove of redwood trees as well as old-growth Douglas fir, oak, mandrone and Ponderosa pines
Hilly and challenging, each race features several steep uphill and downhill stretches, and the half marathon experiences an overall elevation gain of more than 2,100 feet.
Runners will start the race at Harvey West Park, a small family-friendly park located near the southern end of the much larger Henry Cowell Redwoods Park, both of which lie just a short drive north from downtown Santa Cruz.
From there, those running the half marathon will follow a route that winds northward along the a few of the park’s 15 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails — specifically along the Spring, Rincon, Big Rock Hole, River and Eagle Creek, Lookout and Harvey West trails.