Ahhh, the Golden State. Home to endless white sandy beaches, the Golden Gate Bridge, and year-round sandal season. If you’re looking for great weather and some killer views, a California marathon is a great way to go.
Death Valley Trail Marathon
The sights experienced in this race are considered to be “out of this world.” If this is a course you are interested in running you need to reserve your spot well in advance. Unfortunately, sometimes last minute cancellations happen because of weather and safety concerns. If you can put up with the anxiety of having your race cancelled at the last minute then the gorgeous scenery will be worth the wait! Reserve your spot here.
The Course
Because of Park Service rules, the race is strictly limited to 250 runners. In terms of elevation, the course starts around 3,500 feet and gradually climbs to 5,000 feet. At mile 11, there is a 500 foot decline followed by the peak of the race at mile 12 standing at 5,250 feet. From there, the races declines significantly to the finish of the race sitting at a little less than 500 feet in elevation-so make sure your glutes and hammies are ready for trekking down hill for 13 plus miles.
Credit: Raceroster.com
Reviews
“The course was tough: initial long and steady ascend followed a steep down and even steeper up-hill run to the half-way point with all the way down later on. The scenery was out of this world, especially in the second half of the race. There were no spectators except for young and friendly water station crews and friends and families at the finish line. In summary: a very tough, beautiful, and unforgettable event.” – B.K., Marathonguide.com
“Did the 2010 race through Titus Canyon. Breathtaking scenery and very well organized event. About 3,000 feet of elevation gain during the first half of the race, and then a 5,000-foot descent for the last 13 miles. The facilities at the Furnace Creek Ranch are great as well. Highly recommended, and I plan to return again.” – S.F., Marathonguide.com
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon – Ojai
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon has pace groups that range anywhere between 3:03 and 4:53 so if you need a little help pacing yourself you can choose a group and hopefully get your new best time. Runners will experience a variety of California’s best scenery including mountains, the Ventura River Basin, the Ventura Promenade, and the famous Ventura Beach Coastline. Click here for dates and registration info.
The Course
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a Boston Qualifier and a pretty good course if you’re looking to set a new PR as the race is about 90% downhill. That being said, the decline is only 700 feet so you won’t need to worry about the knee pain and screaming glutes that come with downhill running. The race finishes (as the name implies) at the beach.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“It’s a relatively small marathon that starts off in Ojai and ends up in Ventura beach. It’s a popular marathon to get a PR and/or BQ, because of the steady downhill to the beach. But if you’re not used to running on a downhill for an extended period of time, you will have to pay a price with your quads. But it’s only a temporary price to pay so you can get that PR/BQ.” – Mike C., Yelp.com
“The event is well organized with plenty of water stations, and couple of cliff bar supply stations. The road condition is reasonable good, except a few short sections, where the roads were very rough. A few weeks before the event, California had a few record setting hot days. The organizers thoughtfully prepared three extra minimum-service-water-stations to anticipate a hot day. It ended up an overcast mild day in the early morning. The weather turned to warm/hot later morning, where ocean breeze helped cooling down just in time. Many runners set their personal record here, including me.” – W.W., Marathonguide.com
Forest of Nisene Marks Marathon – Aptos
This course can be a bit challenging so be prepared! You won’t find masses of cheering fans here, so if you’re looking for lots of moral support, this one may not be for you. However, you may find the sounds of nature a little more rewarding than the screaming crowds. Check it out here.
The Course
Approximately ten miles of the race is on a fire road that climbs around 1,600 feet. The remainder of the race takes place on a mixture of firewood roads and single track trails. At the higher elevation you will be more exposed to the sun so you may want to bring a hat and some sunglasses. Aid stations are pretty sparse, spaced between 3-6 miles apart, so you’ll want to bring your own hydration system.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“For the dirt road/trail purist there are few better races. The fire access road has excellent footing but the trail segment (from 17-24 miles) can be treacherously narrow and steep. I prefer a small scenic race without the crowds so this was a perfect choice. The race director and staff are dedicated to promoting a quality event and succeed magnificently. I especially appreciate the edible age group awards. It was also appreciated that the marathoners got a half hour lead on the half marathoners. Overall a very positive experience.” – M.G., Marathonguide.com
“There were 69 people total who ran the full marathon! It was really low-key, and so fun! The people helping were all so friendly and there was everything you could want at all of the aid stations. You must be a motivated runner because you run a lot by yourself. It is a rough climb, and a killer heading back down, but so awesome and amazingly gorgeous! I totally recommend it. A beautiful trail and the friendliest people.” – E.E., Marathonguide.com
Wild Wild West Marathon – Lone Pine
If you are looking to set a new PR, then this is NOT your race! If you are looking to have a great time and see some beautiful sights this is a great race to sign up for! The elevation for WWW ranges anywhere between 3,700 and 7,600 feet. The course has a hefty amount of hills and the typical temperature hits around 90º by noon! But, they say the scenery is worth the discomfort of this race. Learn more here.
The Course
The Wild Wild West Marathon is a point to point run that starts at Tuttle Creek Campground and ends at Lone Pine Park. The first third of the race takes place on steep jeep trails that climb to 6,600. From there, the course descends for a winding nine miles on dirt roads. The race finishes with a six mile gradual climb followed by a five mile descent.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“My first WWW Marathon brought me my PWR (Personal Worst Record). Simply speaking, I was not prepared for the steep hills and deep sand and gravel. However, I was awarded with the unparalleled beauty of the snowy Sierra Nevada and rocky Alabama Hills throughout the course. I also won in my own category of Canadian runners. The volunteers at the watering stations delivered world-class service. There was a wide selection of fruits and energy snacks, and the most important things: a variety of ice cold drinks and moral support.” – B.K., Marathonguide.com
“I loved this run! I wish I were there running it again right now! The scenery was beautiful, a perfect day! The people (race organizers, volunteers, and RUNNERS) were fantastic, supportive, and all around great! There was plenty of support at the many water stops and the course was well marked. I can’t say enough about it. Next year I may try the 50k.” – S.H., Marathonguide.com
Surfer’s Path Marathon – Capitola
Surfer’s Path Marathon takes the runners along the Santa Cruz coastline from the boardwalk to the colorful Village of Capitola. The run is very scenic and will take runners to the historic Wilder Ranch State Park. There is a strict 6 hour time limit for the race. If one is unable to complete the marathon in this time frame then they are still encouraged to finish the race, but they will be required to follow the city’s traffic laws. Get more information here.
The Course
The Surfer’s Path Marathon is a fairly flat run with a few mild elevation climbs, including one at the start of the course and one towards the ending. The course is very well marked and has 15 aid stations spaced fairly evenly throughout the race. The run is beautiful and ends in a gradual decline so you can pick up your pace for the finish.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“This has got to be one of the best courses there is. The vast majority of the race takes place along the coast where you can hear/see/feel the waves crashing to shore. That said, it’s also a beast. This is not a race to try for a PR, as I painfully learned. Every step you take you’re either climbing, falling, or on a trail. Just relax and enjoy the run. It’s also a no frills race. So if you’ve experienced other, larger races, it’s a bit jarring at how low key this race is. You’re not walking away with swag or having large pre/post race events. I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing, just different from most other races.” – D.I., Marathonguide.com
“I have run many marathons all over the world and this one will have a special place in my heart. It takes place in a gorgeous town where the first part of the course you travel to another town by the coast with breathtaking views of mountains, beaches and surfers. You the return to the start and keep going until you enter a state park with a trail run through stables and some views that you would never imagine. You will see yourself running on a mountain with the view of waves and the mountain side. This race is not an easy one, lots of rolling hills and the trail run through miles 19 – 22 will take a toll on you. However the views of this course will keep you calm and pushing your body through. Highly recommended marathon.” – F.R.,Marathonguide.com
Oakland Running Festival Marathon
The Oakland running festival offers a great enthusiastic environment for runners. Throughout the majority of the course, spectators line the side and cheer on the runners as they pass. There are plenty sights to see and sounds to hear during the marathon (which is good because personal devices and headphones are strongly discouraged). Some reviews mentioned DJs, bands, radio stations add to the enjoyment of the race. Find out how to register here.
The Course
The Oakland Marathon has been described as fairly hilly by some reviewers and relatively flat by others. That being said, there are still many runners who break records and set new P.R.s in this race. The course will take the runners through many different parts of Oakland and is very well marked so you will know exactly where you are on the course and what mile you are on. The route is well shaded and runners will loop a lake at the finish line.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“I loved this race! It was extremely well organized, had great crowd support, and the course was challenging but very scenic and fun. The race traverses through so many different neighborhoods in Oakland that you get a good feel for the makeup of the city, probably similar to the NYC marathon, but with less glamour and on a smaller scale. The course is reasonably tough, particularly the climbs from miles 6-11 or so. After a steep decline from miles 11-12.5 or so it’s pretty much flat as a pancake, though. I would say it isn’t impossible to set a PR here. I finished only a little over four minutes off of mine, and with better training possibly could have beaten it.” – N.G., Marathonguide.com
“After having done almost a hundred marathons I can recognize a GREAT one when I see it. In only it’s third year this one is a real keeper!! The course was challenging but fair..the organization was awesome…and the support was first rate. Thanks to Gene and his crew for providing such a quality experience to the thousands that participated…WELL DONE…I will be back next year.” – D.B., Marathonguide.com
Catalina Marathon – Catalina Island
Catalina is an island off the coast of California. If you plan on running this marathon, you should probably just set up an entire vacation around it. Make sure to book your hotel early or else you’ll be camping on the beach–which probably wouldn’t be all that bad. The proceeds of this marathon go towards the conservation of the island and strives to preserve the it’s natural beauty. Check out the race website here.
The Course
It’s almost impossible to finish this marathon and not have it snag a place on your top five list. Although the course is challenging, the sights make it worth the fight. The course primarily follows dirt jeep trails and mounts 2500 total feet of elevation gain with the average grades ranging between 2% and 5.6%.
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“This is a stunningly gorgeous marathon with breathtaking vistas of the Pacific and the runners snaking up and down the steep, semi-wild terrain of Catalina Island. I don’t recall ever having spontaneously exclaimed ‘wow…’ during a race so many times. The course is challenging, to be sure, and mostly on dirt jeep tracks, which is nice. Running this marathon is an unforgettable experience. I can’t recommend it more highly, and can’t wait to go back.” – Johathan Wendel, Marathonguide.com
“One of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. If you are at all able to ever get to Catalina Island, make sure you run this race (and if it’s not during that weekend, run the course). Mountain running, hill running, is one of the most incredible things in the entire world, and for this reason: at no other point in your life are you directly rewarded for heartbreaking physical exhaustion with a heartbreaking experience of nature. To run across the length of a mountainous island in the middle of the Pacific is everything you are expecting it to be. The return to Avalon is the perfect finish – a wonderful little town with great places to hang out. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of the world and this island is my favorite place. My heart goes out to the volunteers and organizers who help make this race what it is. Thank you.” – A.C., Marathonguide.com
Napa Valley Marathon – Calistoga
The Napa Valley Marathon has earned the nickname of the “biggest little marathon in the West,” primarily because of its fantastic runner support and scenic point to point course. The course starts with an opening prayer followed by the playing/singing of the National Anthem. Learn more about this race here.
The Course
The Napa Valley Marathon is a point to point race which starts at Calistoga and ends at Vintage High School. During your run, you will pass 13 water stations, 13 restrooms, and four ambulances, so you should be well taken care of. The race starts at around 460’ and drops to about 80’ at the finish line with a few intermediate hills in between. Given this down hill slope, you should be able to get a rockin’ new P.R. while running this race!
Credit: Map My Run
Reviews
“I love the Napa Valley Marathon! As a local, it is so fun to run this event in my own backyard. But, even for those running destination marathons, it doesn’t get much better than this. The course is gorgeous – who doesn’t love Napa Valley in the springtime? The course is full of nice, rolling hills that offer the best challenge (and the last 5 flat, straight miles are a good mental challenge). The volunteers are wonderful – at the finish each runner is greeted by someone to make sure they are okay. The swag bag is amazing! It’s a reusable duffel bag with the NVM and Asics logos to reuse for the gym or overnight trips stuffed with snacks.” – Miriam Kaufman, www.bibrave.com
“This was my 25th marathon on 21 different courses. I’ve run many of the most highly rated races, and this ranks right near the top. Small, but high quality expo – including a wine tasting and a commemorative gear bag. Good pasta dinner with all the wine you want (I didn’t want much). Bus loading was smooth, and you could stay warm on the bus until shortly before the start. The course was slightly more hilly than I expected from other comments, but I like that better than a totally flat course, so I ran a pretty good time for the shape that I’m in. Aide stations in the middle of the race could be a little closer together. Overall, I highly recommend this one!” – D.G., Marathonguide.com