06/17/2026
Say hello to Meet the Run Club, a new series highlighting the local crews that make Santa Cruz running special.
First up:
What started in 2017 as three friends training for Wharf to Wharf has grown into one of Santa Cruz's most unique running communities. Inspired by the punk rock ethos of the local hardcore scene, Running Riot was built on three simple principles: maintain a positive mental attitude, support your fellow runners, and be a good person.
Now approaching 10 years strong, the club continues to embrace a grassroots, DIY spirit through events like the "U Con Do It" endurance challenge and the "Bark at the Moon" full moon run. With 6:00am weekday meetups, Running Riot creates space for runners balancing work, family, and everything in between.
"We are extremely stoked to participate in the inaugural edition of the Santa Cruz Marathon", said John Van Lanen, co-founder of Running Riot. "This is sure to be a marquee event for local runners and the route is nothing short of epic. If you weren't able to sign up this year, we recommend getting out there and cheering on the runners the day of. The first year of any race is special and you won't want to miss out on this one!"
We're proud to have Running Riot as part of the Santa Cruz running community. 🌊🏃
