Marathon races near Costa Mesa

Before sunrise, runners begin on Shoreline Drive for the 2XU Long Beach Marathon, a 26-mile, 385-yard road race in Long Beach, California. The race weekend also features a half marathon, which can attract a larger field than the full marathon. The event originated in the early 1980s, paused during the 1990s due to financial difficulties, and then resumed under new leadership. Recent marathons have seen thousands of participants, a full half marathon field, and runners representing dozens of countries. The course covers much of Long Beach in a single loop. It directs runners through The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, onto a 710 Freeway on-ramp, over Queensway Bridge toward the Queen Mary, around the Rainbow Harbor lighthouse, and returns through the start area before heading toward the ocean. The middle section runs alongside the Pacific, through Belmont Shore, past Marine Stadium, around Colorado Lagoon, and by Long Beach Recreation Golf Course. Miles 16 to 20 involve a loop through Cal State Long Beach, after which Ocean Boulevard leads runners back to the Shoreline Drive finish. Local runner Kenny Williams completed every edition for the race's first forty years, and multiple other individuals had not missed a race weekend.

The RunThrough USA Long Beach Race Weekend offers a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, starting at Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach, California. Participants can select from 3.1 miles, 6.2 miles, or 13.1 miles along the coast of the Los Angeles area. The course is designed for fast times, with the Long Beach coastline serving as the primary scenery. RunThrough organizes the event, providing marshals to direct runners and encourage them at the finish. Post-race, the event village will offer food and beverages, including hot coffee and complimentary partner items.

The Saddleback Marathon is a hilly trail marathon held in the Saddleback Mountains of Cleveland National Forest, near Silverado, California. The race route crosses areas between Orange and Riverside Counties, including the Trabuco District and locations such as Blue Jay Campground, Black Star Canyon, Ortega Highway, and The Main Divide. Wildfires and Covid have previously impacted the event, leading to cancellations and course adjustments, so the exact route may vary. Participants can expect a mix of truck trail ascents, technical singletrack, campground sections, and local trails like San Juan, Chiquito, San Juan Loop, Falcon Trail, and the Candy Store Loop. Entry is limited, cutoffs are enforced, and carpoolers will receive commemorative memorabilia.

The SOCAL River Marathon is a late-winter Saturday race held at Huntington Beach State Park in Huntington Beach, California. Runners can choose from four in-person distances: a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The event also offers a virtual race for any distance, along with invite-only pacer entries for the marathon and half marathon. The primary route utilizes the Santa Ana River Trail, running from Yorba Linda to Huntington Beach State Park. It crosses a significant portion of Southern California, beginning in arid inland areas, passing near Disneyland, and concluding at the beach. The course is predominantly flat and straight, featuring a slight downhill gradient as it parallels the river towards the sea.