Half Marathon races near Grand Terrace

Big Bear Lake becomes the center for ultra-running with the HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB, an event that has shown significant growth since 2023. This UTMB World Series race provides the hospitality of a mountain community, attracting thousands of participants and becoming a notable fixture on the ultra-running calendar. The start/finish line is in downtown Big Bear Lake, serving as a central hub for spectators to support the athletes. This race is particularly welcoming for first-time ultra-runners and those new to trail running, offering a serious yet supportive setting for challenging oneself on the trails.

Luz y Vida is a Día de los Muertos run/walk in Riverside, California, with 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon options from Ryan Bonaminio Park. A Better World Running organizes it, and the setup is low-key: bib pickup happens the morning of the race, all distances start early, and registration includes a custom finisher medal, a drawstring goodie bag, free photos, free videos, posted results, snacks, and samples. The course uses a marked open path shared with pedestrians, runners, and cyclists, so this is not a closed-road race. The 5k is an out-and-back, the 10k repeats that loop twice, the 15k repeats it three times, and the half marathon uses three 4.36-mile loops. Aid is available at the turnaround and start/finish area with water, Gatorade, and Gu gels. Strollers are allowed, dogs are not, and half marathoners get a 3-hour-15-minute limit with early starts available by request.

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 Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is an Atlanta race held on Thanksgiving morning, offering live 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon races, along with virtual options for each distance. The event is intentionally low-cost; runners not qualifying for free entry can register for a small fee, with race-day registration costing slightly more. The race originated from the organizers' decision, two weeks before Thanksgiving, to acknowledge participants from that season's races. This tradition continues: finishers from other Five Star races qualify for one free live 5K entry, though the Turkey Trot itself does not count towards this free spot. Shirts, hoodies, and finisher medals are available as optional purchases, allowing runners to customize their participation.

The Reindeer Run Riverside is a holiday-season run/walk held at Ryan Bonaminio Park in Riverside, California, offering 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon distances. The start and finish are located at the park's far end. Bib pickup occurs at the park on weekend mornings, with free parking available in the park lot and along Tequesquite Avenue. The routes consist of marked out-and-back loops on a shared path, meaning participants will encounter other pedestrians, runners, and cyclists. The 5k is a single out-and-back, the 10k is two repetitions of the 5k loop, the 15k is three repetitions, and the half marathon uses three 4.36-mile loops with a 3:15 time limit. Restrooms are situated near the start and finish. The aid station at the turnaround point provides water, Gatorade, and Gu gels. Strollers are permitted, but dogs are not. Finishers receive a custom medal, a goodie bag, complimentary photos and videos, snacks, and results posted within 12 to 24 hours.

The Citrus Heritage Run begins at Arlington Heights Sports Park in Riverside, California, offering a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a 1-mile kids race for participants 12 and under. The longer races commence early, with all distances concluding by late morning, structuring the event as a focused race-day schedule rather than an extended festival. The course winds through the orange groves of California Citrus State Historic Park, allowing runners to experience the scent of citrus and orange blossoms while taking in views of the nearby mountains and the Riverside skyline. The race attracts significant local attention, with every distance having sold out in a past event. Participants receive long-sleeve tech shirts, finisher medals, and age-group awards. Live bands perform along the course, hydration stations are provided, and the finish area offers fresh orange juice from a local grove, hot food, beer, and mimosas.

The NATRO Native American Trail Marathon Championship is a trail running race series focused on increasing Native runner participation on trails. Its first sponsored event, NATRO@Soboba, took place in La Jacinta, California, on the Soboba Indian Reservation. This event offered 25-kilometer and 5-kilometer races, deviating from a marathon-only format. Participants could register in either Open or Native divisions, accommodating Native competition while also welcoming the broader trail running community. The series originated from the Native American Trail Running Organization, established by Sheldon Subith with assistance from Native race directors. Subith contributes a runner's and coach's perspective to the initiative; he is a skilled masters trail runner and coaches cross country at Noli Indian School in San Jacinto. NATRO@Soboba also connected the race to youth running, allocating a portion of the proceeds to Noli Indian School’s cross country and track programs. The initial development was practical and community-focused from the outset; Subith mentioned NATRO began as a concept and required more time than anticipated to reach its inaugural Soboba race.

Bedrock Valley Trail Runs is a spring trail race series in Hemet, California, held around Diamond Valley Lake. All courses are on unpaved trails. The series includes a full marathon, half marathon, 15K, 10K, Stroller 5K, and a 1 Mile Kid's Fun Run, catering to trail runners and families, not just long-distance racers. The race begins early and maintains a small field with a 400-participant limit and no prize money. The location has a unique history: the lake area is situated on bedrock where remains of hundreds of mastodons and other prehistoric animals were discovered. The event has been held annually since 2012 as an American Trail Running Association member race.