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Marathons in California
The Marathon distance (26.1 miles or 42.2km) is a real feat of mental and physical resilience and requires a serious commitment of training in order to get a bragworthy time. Most first-timers will aim to finish a marathon in under 4 hours, while anything under 3 hours is seen as a very impressive achievement. The wide variety of marathons on offer in California makes certain that completing a marathon will be unforgettable. Many of these events make the most of the stunning scenery that the Golden State has to offer, from its breathtaking coastlines, to its famous National Parks, to its arduous mountains and deserts. These landscapes, although at times challenging, add an extra dimension to the experience. The California International Marathon is known to be a speedy course, as the route is almost entirely downhill, and so it offers a great opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Sunday, Jul 17, 2022
Shoreline Marathon
Ventura, California
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k
(1 reviews)
Sunday, Aug 7, 2022
Camarillo Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Camarillo, California
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k
(1 reviews)
Saturday, Aug 6, 2022
Redwood Trail Run (Summer)
Oakland, California
ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon
Saturday, Sep 3, 2022
Bizz Johnson Trail Races
Susanville, California
half marathon, ultramarathon, marathon, 10k
Sunday, Sep 18, 2022
Diablo Trail Run
Clayton, California
ultramarathon, 10 miles, half marathon, marathon
Saturday, Nov 5, 2022
Lake Chabot Trail Runs
Castro Valley, California
ultramarathon, half marathon, marathon
Sunday, Nov 6, 2022
Surfers Point Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Ventura, California
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k
(4 reviews)
Sunday, Feb 19, 2023
California Seaside Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k - 2023
Ventura, California
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k
Sunday, Jul 16, 2023
Shoreline Marathon 2023
Ventura, California
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k
Saturday, Jul 9, 2022
Rancho Hills Trail Run
Morgan Hill, California
5k, 10k, half marathon, ultramarathon, marathon
Saturday, Jul 16, 2022
The Peak 50k, Marathon & Half Marathon
San Diego County, California
ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon
Saturday, Jul 23, 2022
San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco, California
marathon, ultramarathon, 5k, half marathon
(5 reviews)
Saturday, Jul 23, 2022
Kirkwood's Thunder Mountain Trail Challenge
Markleeville, California
half marathon, 10k, 5k, marathon, ultramarathon
Saturday, Aug 13, 2022
Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight
Alamo, Nevada
ultramarathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k, marathon
Saturday, Aug 20, 2022
Sly Park Lake Trail Run (Summer)
Pollock Pines, California
5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon
Saturday, Aug 27, 2022
Almaden Hills Trail Run
San Jose, California
10k, ultramarathon, 5k, half marathon, marathon
Saturday, Sep 17, 2022
Devil After Dark Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Las Vegas, Nevada
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k
Saturday, Sep 24, 2022
Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & 5 Mile
Big Sur, California
half marathon, marathon
Saturday, Sep 24, 2022
Dick Collins Firetrails
Castro Valley, California
ultramarathon, marathon
Sunday, Oct 9, 2022
Humboldt Redwoods Marathon
Weott, California
half marathon, 5k, marathon
Sunday, Oct 9, 2022
Long Beach Marathon
Long Beach, California
5k, marathon, half marathon
Monday, Oct 17, 2022
South Hills Single Track Trail Run (September)
San Jose, California
5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon
Saturday, Oct 22, 2022
Napa Wine Country Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k
Calistoga, California
10k, half marathon, marathon
Saturday, Nov 5, 2022
Almaden Hills Trail Run (November)
San Jose, California
5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon
About Marathons in California
Marathons definitely tend to draw the biggest crowds as competitors race through all sorts of surroundings from magnificent cityscapes to vast countryside. Marathons make up some of the most iconic races in the Golden State. Whether you're running for a personal challenge or a public cause, in Cali it helps that the weather is almost always near perfect and the scenery beautiful.
What are the best marathons?
There are so many high quality marathons to choose from in California. If you like fancy dress then the Walt Disney World Marathon might get you all Goofy. Get a boost from rock 'n' roll jams blasting behind you in the Rock 'n' Roll marathon series. Top tip, if you compete in 3 of 4 Rock 'n' Roll marathons in a year then you can collect a special medal. For spectacular scenery look no further than the highly rated Big Sur International Marathon.
How long will it take me to run a marathon?
The world record for women was set in London by Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain in 2003 at 2h15m25s minutes, and is still standing strong. The men's record was beaten in Berlin in 2018 by Eliud Kipchoge and at 2h01m39s is pushing close to breaking the elusive 2 hour barrier.
The global average time to finish a marathon sits around 4h13m for men and 4h42m for women. Our best advice is that you keep your own pace and don't worry about others. If you're overtaken by a man dressed as the Mona Lisa, don't sweat it. It is worth pointing out that finishing times are greatly affected by the course - check our course descriptions for each race to get a better understanding of the route. Some marathons are particularly fast (e.g. A1A, Cali International), and some a bit more challenging (Avenue of the Giants).
How do you train for a marathon?
Training for a marathon takes a lot of motivation. Buddy up if you can, this will help you stick to your plan. You can download our free 16 week training plan, with nutrition and race tips included. 16 weeks should give you enough time to train up and set you in good stead for tackling 26.2 miles.
