Starting the race, you will head north on Pacific Coast Highway toward the famous Huntington Beach Pier. The marathon course cuts east toward Huntington Beach Central Park, where you will take in the sights before heading back toward the ocean. Once again, you’ll head north, passing the Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve where you can enjoy the varied wildlife that call Bolsa Chica home. Once past Bolsa Chica, you will make a U-turn and head south toward Huntington Beach Pier before cutting off of Pacific Coast Highway and onto the beachfront running path. Once on the beachfront running path, you will head north, this time being a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the beach and watch out for early morning surfers hitting the waves. Finally, you will U-turn and again head back toward the Huntington Beach Pier. Once there, you will cut back onto Pacific Coast Highway with less than a mile to go before crossing the finish line! Note: About eight miles of the marathon course runs on the multipurpose beachfront running path that winds through the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California. This public path is not part of the closed course, and you may encounter walkers, bicyclists, and others who are not participating in the race. It is only 8 feet wide for a few stretches.

There are multiple locations available for parking with convenience to the start and finish lines. Review the Parking & Travel (https://www.runsurfcity.com/travel)page of our website for updated information.

Please find the approximate aid station locations below: Miles 1.5, 2.8, 4.6, 5.9, 7.1, 8.4, 8.7, 9.9, 11.2, 12.3, 13.3, 14.7, 15.8, 16.6, 18.3, 19.5, 20.8, 21.4, 22.7, 23.9, 24, 25.2. Water & Gatorade are provided at all aid stations along the course. Portable restrooms are staggered throughout the course in multiple locations, as well as medical tents. Honey Stinger Energy Chews will also be provided at the aid station at Miles 12.3 and 20.8.

Gear Check will be available for all marathon participants. Gear check will be located in the Huntington Beach Parking Lots under the big tent. When in the start chute, the gear check area is to the the left. The gear check tent will stay in the same location throughout the duration of the race. Clear, plastic bags, will be available at the Race Expo for use at the Gear Check tent. All items must be placed in this clear bag. Please attach the gear check tag on your bib to your clear plastic bag using the provided cable ties. Gear Check will open to drop off bags at 6:00am in the Huntington Beach Parking Lots and must be picked up no later than 1:00pm. Please do not check valuables. Gear is checked at your own risk. The race is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged bags.

The marathon has a course time limit of 6.5 hours. Participants will need to maintain a pace of 14:53 minutes per mile in order to complete the race. Due to the nature of our event permit, if a participant falls behind the established pace time, they may be asked to join the sweep vehicle to be moved ahead on course. The finish line will close at 1:15pm sharp. Please pace yourself accordingly. There are three cut-off points on the marathon course. Please note below: Full Marathon Cut Off #1 Mile 4.4: Edwards Street & Overlook Drive Course Cut Off: 7:45AM (Approx 4.1 Miles Cut) Details: Runners can no longer continue straight on Edwards St and must turn left on Overlook Drive Full Marathon Cut Off #2 Mile 9.9: Seapoint Street & Pacific Coast Hwy Course Cut Off: 9:07AM (Approx 4.7 Miles Cut) Details: Runners will not be permitted to continue north on Pacific Coast Hwy and must turn left to head south Full Marathon Cut Off #3 Mile 16.5: 14th Street Path & Pacific Coast Hwy Course Cut Off: 10:45AM (Approx 9 Miles Cut) Details: Runners will not be permitted to turn right on 14th Street Beach path and will need to continue south towards the finish line on Pacific Coast Hwy

The top 3 male, female, & non-binary finishers in the marathon will receive an overall award*. This is based on Gun time, not Chip time. The top 3 male, female, & non-binary finishers in each age group in the marathon will receive an award. Please see the age groups below: Under 20, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ Awards must be picked up on-site from the Age Group Awards table in the Huntington Beach Parking Lots. Awards will not be mailed post-race. *Anyone who wins top 3 overall is not eligible for an age group award.

All participants must be at least 18 years old on race day. No exceptions.