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FEB 1ST 2026 | WHERE SURF MEETS RUN | MARATHON | HALF | 5K | BEACH MILE

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RACE 1 OF THE CALIFORNIA 8

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Take on the Challenge

COMPLETE 2+ EVENTS OF 5K OR GREATER IN 2025

Experience the best courses in California; from golden beaches to vibrant cityscapes, rolling vineyards to majestic bridges. Experience the diverse beauty of the Golden State one stride at a time.

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  • ARE ENTRIES REFUNDABLE?
    Refund Policy: All registration fees are non-refundable. This race, in accordance with management executives, city officials and local law enforcement has the authority to cancel any of the events for emergency purposes such as, but not limited to, inclement weather, a pandemic, or threat of terrorism. If such emergency conditions force cancellation, refunds cannot be provided.
  • CAN I SWITCH RACE DISTANCES?
    Yes, you can always switch race distances if there is still capacity in the event you are looking to switch into. Log into your MyEvents.ACTIVE.com account, find your race entry, and click the “Change category” button to make an update to your registration. The deadline to make edits to your registration via your MyEvents account is December 29, 2024. Switching from a longer distance to a shorter distance: There is no fee to switch to a shorter distance. If you are prompted to pay a fee difference, please email us at info@runsurfcity.com. There are no refunds for the difference in price between the two distances. Switching from a shorter distance to a longer distance: You will be prompted to pay the difference in fee from the shorter distance to the current cost of the longer distance. Switching to Virtual Run: There is no fee to switch to Virtual. If you are promoted to pay, please email info@runsurfcity.com and we will make the switch for you. Late Category transfers: If you miss the December 29, 2024 deadline to make a change to your race category, you can email info@runsurfcity.com to make the switch no later than January 26, 2025. If you miss the January 26, 2025, deadline, you will be able to make the change at the Expo for an administrative charge plus any additional price difference for longer distances. You must run the race for which you are registered for, or you may be disqualified.
  • HOW CAN I ADD EXTRAS TO MY REGISTRATION? (PHOTOS ETC.)
    Race Extras can be selected during registration. If you did not purchase at the time of registration, log into your MyEvents.ACTIVE.com account, find your race entry, and click the “Purchase merchandise” button to add Race Extras to your registration.
  • HOW CAN I DEFER MY ENTRY?
    Defer Your Entry: You may defer your entry to the 2026 event. Deferrals must be processed by the registration team and an administration fee of 50% of the 2026 registration fee will be charged. You will pay this fee when you register for the 2026 race. The deferral will expire after the 2026 event, and you will not be able to defer your registration again. Deferrals must be requested by emailing info@runsurfcity.com prior to January 19th, 2025. Additional purchases (iTab, FinisherPix, race day pick-up, etc) will be refunded at the time of cancellation. You will need to purchase these items again when registering for 2026.
  • HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM REGISTERED?
    You will receive a confirmation email from ACTIVE.com with your registration information and a receipt email from support@active.com. You can also confirm your registration by logging into your ACTIVE account at MyEvents.ACTIVE.com. Still not sure? Send us an email at info@runsurfcity.com.

GOLDEN STATE CHALLENGE FAQS

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"This medal is a combination of all the sweat, tears and sunburns that I’ve gotten this year. I also did the one beach half marathon, signed up for the marathon, or trained for the marathon, forgot to sign up, had to do the half and still had a blast."

- Brent

“51 years old, mom of seven, 6 girls and 1 boy. Running is my therapy and I do it for my sanity and my health and just to feel good. There is nothing better than a long run, just me, the outdoors and my shoes. I did the golden state challenge because I did the surf city and I really enjoyed it. It was beautiful and then I saw there was other ones”

- Susan

“I started with Napa To Sonoma at the top of California, ran all the way down the coast to Surf City, Long Beach, and just finished here running the bridge in San Francisco... I love the Golden State Challenge, it makes you feel like you took on something really special.”

- Emma

RUN, REPEAT, REWARD

THE MORE YOU RUN, THE MORE REWARDS YOU EARN.

2 RACES

LIP BALM

3 RACES

COOLING TOWEL

4 RACES

EXCLUSIVE 2025 MEDAL

7 RACES

TRAVEL MUG

8 RACES

MEDAL HANGER

+

4 FREE

ENTRIES TO ANY GSC EVENT

6 RACES

GSC BEAR

5 RACES

RUNNER'S BELT

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MEET OUR PARTNERS

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FOLLOW GOLDEN STATE CHALLENGE ON SOCIAL

HEAR IT FROM OUR RUNNERS

xxx 

PARTICIPANTS

8

RACES

7

CITIES
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