Marathons in California
Nearby Marathons in California
See all- The San Francisco Marathon25JUL
The San Francisco Marathon
Running ‧ San Francisco52.4 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 3.1 mi$49 – $409(5) - Oakland Running Festival30AUG
Oakland Running Festival
Running ‧ Oakland26.2 mi • 16.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 3.1 mi • 0.6 mi$15 – $250 - Shoreline Marathon19JUL
Shoreline Marathon
Running ‧ Ventura26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi$45 – $130(1) - The Santa Rosa Full/Half Marathon & 5K/10K29AUG
The Santa Rosa Full/Half Marathon & 5K/10K
Running ‧ Santa Rosa26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi$29 – $109(1) - Lake Tahoe Marathon 9OCT
Lake Tahoe Marathon
Running ‧ South Lake Tahoe72.0 mi • 52.4 mi • 26.2 mi • 16.4 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi$54 – $155 - Surfers Point Marathon, Half, 10k & 5k8NOV
Surfers Point Marathon, Half, 10k & 5k
Running ‧ Ventura26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi$50 – $110(4) - Crystal Springs1AUG
Crystal Springs
Running ‧ Woodside31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 21.7 mi • 13.1 mi • 5.0 mi$45 – $75 - Santa Barbara Red Rock Endurance Run21NOV
Santa Barbara Red Rock Endurance Run
Running ‧ Santa Barbara50.0 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 3.1 mi$45 – $115 - Cinderella Trail Run14JUN
Cinderella Trail Run
Running ‧ Oakland31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 18.6 mi • 13.1 mi • 5.0 mi$45 – $75 - Coastal 50K & Marathon8AUG
Coastal 50K & Marathon
Running ‧ Stinson Beach31.1 mi • 26.2 mi$80 – $90 - Golden Gate (Summer)19SEP
Golden Gate (Summer)
Running ‧ Mill Valley31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 18.6 mi • 13.1 mi • 5.0 mi$40 – $70(2) - Look Good Feel Good Marathon10OCT
Look Good Feel Good Marathon
Running ‧ San Leandro26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi • 1.0 mi$25 – $55 - Diablo Trail Run23AUG
Diablo Trail Run
Running ‧ Clayton31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 10.0 mi • 4.0 mi$15 – $70 - Bizz Johnson Trail Races10OCT
Bizz Johnson Trail Races
Running ‧ Susanville31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi$30 – $85 - Redwood (Summer)25JUL
Redwood (Summer)
Running ‧ Oakland31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 18.6 mi • 13.1 mi • 5.0 mi$45 – $75 - Devil After Dark Marathon, 1/2, 10K & 5K19SEP
Devil After Dark Marathon, 1/2, 10K & 5K
Running ‧ Las Vegas26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi - Mercury Rising – Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs (week 3)15JUN
Mercury Rising – Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs (week 3)
Running ‧ Los Angeles26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 11.8 mi • 7.5 mi • 5.0 mi$10 - Mercury Rising – Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs (week 2)8JUN
Mercury Rising – Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs (week 2)
Running ‧ Los Angeles26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 11.8 mi • 7.5 mi • 5.0 mi • 3.7 mi$10 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon14NOV
Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Running ‧ Las Vegas26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi$62 - Mendocino Coast PAL Big River Run22AUG
Mendocino Coast PAL Big River Run
Running ‧ Mendocino26.1 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi - Cinderella Virtual Run13JUN
Cinderella Virtual Run
Running ‧ San Francisco31.1 mi • 18.6 mi • 13.1 mi • 5.0 mi$35 – $40 - I Left my Heart in San F(run)cisco 5K/10K/Half/Full26JUL
I Left my Heart in San F(run)cisco 5K/10K/Half/Full
Running ‧ San Francisco49.0 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi$45 – $75 - Mercury Rising – Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs (week 4)22JUN
Mercury Rising – Supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs (week 4)
Running ‧ Los Angeles26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 11.8 mi • 7.5 mi • 5.0 mi • 3.7 mi$10
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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.