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Oakland Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Oakland, CA, USA
- Race Date: 03/21/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Oakland Marathon Description
The Oakland Marathon is a Boston qualifying race showcasing the East Bay each March, with an out-and-back course that tours Oakland’s diverse neighborhoods, Lake Merritt, and scenic hillside views. The route concentrates its toughest climbing into two distinct stretches, around miles 3 to 5 and again near miles 16 to 18, testing runners with brutal rolling hills before easing back to flatter terrain. A half marathon and 10K run the same weekend, making this a genuine community celebration of one of the Bay Area’s most underrated cities.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Oakland Marathon Additional Details:
The finisher medal here is designed each year by local Oakland artists, brothers Mahader and Yonas Tesfai, who use the design to celebrate the city’s cultural diversity rather than just marking a distance completed. Along the course, 16 entertainment and cheer zones keep energy high, with performances from Piedmont, Oakland Tech, and Berkeley High School groups, plus Oakland Taiko drummers and a DJ mixing things up near the finish. Aid stations go beyond the basics too, with several including a private four-walled tent for nursing parents, chairs, and sanitizing supplies. At the finish, runners are handed more than a medal, expect fresh fruit, electrolytes, and healthy snacks that go past the usual banana-and-bagel routine.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 1,000 to 1,300
Marathon: 878
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 787 ft (240 m)
Elevation Loss: 787 ft (240 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 48°F
- High: 64°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Oakland, CA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Food & Drink
Off the Grid
Sample food trucks at the Friday-night Off the Grid event at the Oakland Museum of California — a relaxed, low-impact way to refuel after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Lake Merritt Loop
Walk or bike the 3.4-mile paved and packed-dirt loop around Lake Merritt, the nation’s first official wildlife refuge — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Museums & History
Oakland Museum of California
Explore California’s art, history, and science collections at the Oakland Museum of California, with a Friday food-truck event — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Lake Merritt Gardens
Wander the Japanese Garden, Bonsai Garden, and other themed gardens surrounding Lake Merritt — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Arts & Culture
Chinatown Street Art
See vibrant street murals in Oakland’s Chinatown, part of the city’s growing public art scene — a relaxed, low-impact walking stop after race day.
Landmark
Chabot Space & Science Center
Explore the Chabot Space & Science Center, home to planetarium shows and some of the largest public telescopes on the West Coast — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Sports & Entertainment
Children’s Fairyland
Step into Children’s Fairyland, a whimsical 10-acre storybook park on the shores of Lake Merritt — a relaxed, low-impact way to spend an afternoon after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Oakland Zoo
See more than 850 native and exotic animals at the Oakland Zoo — a flat, self-paced walk that’s gentle on recovering legs after race day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Oakland Marathon
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