The Santa Barbara Half Marathon, presented by HOKA, and Santa Barbara 5K will bring more than 7,500 runners to the waterfront, Funk Zone and downtown on Sunday, Nov. 8, with rolling road closures and temporary traffic patterns in place across the course.
The heaviest impact will be from 5:30-8:30 a.m., especially along the waterfront, organizers said.
The Half Marathon starts at 7 a.m., and the Santa Barbara 5K at 8:30 a.m., both on Cabrillo Boulevard between State and Garden streets. Both finish on State Street between Haley and Gutierrez streets.
The HOKA Kids Fun Run presented by White & Grube Orthodontics starts at 10:30 a.m. at State and Yanonali streets.
“Since 2021, our runners and partners will have raised more than $250,000 for local organizations through the Santa Barbara Running Association, including this year’s event,” said David Monico, event director.
“Every runner on your street Sunday morning is part of that. Plan ahead, come out and cheer, and help us bring them home,” he said.
For a map and details on road closures and detours, visit https://santabarbarahalf.com/road-closures/.
Parking & Getting Around
• No official event parking. Observe posted time limits and fees at City and private lots.
• Closed race morning: Garden Street Lot, Palm Park Lot, Shoreline Park and La Mesa Park lots. City Lot 13 is closed except VIP, staff and Amtrak patrons; Lot 12 is heavily impacted after 5 a.m.
• Avoid: Funk Zone and West Beach neighborhoods, which are largely no-parking on race morning.
• Recommended: City Downtown Lots 2-11 and Paseo Nuevo (0.6-1.3 miles to the start), SBCC/Leadbetter Beach lots, and East Beach lots (arrive before 6 a.m.).
• Highway 101: Some off-ramps change after 5:30-6 a.m.; Castillo Street off-ramp closed. Exit-by-exit guidance at santabarbarahalf.com/parking.
• Ride instead: Bike valet and stroller parking by MOVE Santa Barbara County at the Finish Line Festival (136 E. Yanonali St.), 6 a.m.-noon. BCycle e-bike share is also available.
Before Race Day
Packet Pick-Up runs 2-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Chase Palm Park Great Meadow (Casa Las Palmas). Park in the waterfront lots across the street; no parking or drop-off on Cabrillo Boulevard or Garden Street next to the venue.
For Spectators
• Cheer along State Street, the waterfront and the Funk Zone; local musicians perform along the course with instruments and amplified music.
• The HOKA Fly Zone on Cabrillo Boulevard. near the start is the main spectator zone to watch runners pass three times before meeting them at the finish. A second Fly Zone at Mile 11 on State Street features the UCSB Gaucho Pep Band.
• The Funk Zone Finish Line Festival on Yanonali Street opens to the public at 8 a.m., with live music from Outside Voices, 9-11 a.m.
• Overall awards at 9 a.m. (Half Marathon); 9:15 a.m. (5K) on Festival Main Stage.
• Strollers and pets are not allowed on the course.
Questions on Race Morning
• Run Local Race Day Line (non-emergency), 805-225-7958 for race-related issues
• Email before race day: raceday@runlocalevents.com
• Emergencies: call 911