MARATHON [26.2]

LET’S DO 26.2

This spectacular oceanfront course is an exclusive Southern California favorite! Run by the famous Huntington Beach Pier and continue through scenic Huntington Central Park. You’re bound to see local surfers catching waves as you hit the beachfront running path at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Date: February 4, 2024
Start Time: 6:30am
Start Location: intersection of Pacific Coast Highway & Huntington Street
Finish Location: 1 block north of intersection of Pacific Coast Highway & Huntington Street

Marathon Packet Pick-up
Friday, February 2nd
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Huntington Beach Parking Lots – 21291 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Saturday, February 3rd
10:00am – 4:00pm
Huntington Beach Parking Lots – 21291 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Runner Perks

  • Surf City-themed finisher medal
  • Premium event shirt
  • Surf City Marathon tote bag
  • (1) complimentary beer at the Finish Festival
  • Fully supported aid stations along the course
  • Finish-area refreshments

EVENT INFORMATION

MARATHON COURSE MAP

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 multi-purpose 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.

PARKING & SHUTTLES

There are multiple locations available for parking with convenience to the start and finish lines.  Review the Parking & Transportation page of our website for updated information.

AID STATIONS

Please find the approximate aid station locations below:

Miles 1.5*, 2.5, 4.5*, 6*, 7*, 8.5*, 9.5, 11*, 12*, 13*, 14.5, 15.5*, 19*, 21*, 22.5*, 25.5*

Water is provided at all aid stations along the course.  Gatorade Lemon Lime and Glacier Freeze will be provided at the stations with an asterisk above.

GU Triberry and Strawberry Banana will also be provided at the aid station at Mile 12 and 21.

GEAR CHECK

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.

COURSE TIME LIMIT

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

AWARDS

The top 3 male and female finishers in the marathon will receive an overall award.

The top 3 male and female 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.

AGE MINIMUM

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

2024 Race Shirt

2024 Finisher Medal

PRICING

EARLY BIRD

Closed

TIER 1

Limited entries available

TIER 2

Coming soon

TIER 3

Coming soon

TIER 4

Coming soon

Event Partners