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OC Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Costa Mesa, CA, USA
- Race Date: 05/02/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
OC Marathon Description
The OC Marathon starts in Newport Beach and winds through Orange County’s coastal communities, including Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, before finishing at the OC Fair & Event Center. The Boston-qualifying, World Marathon Majors qualifying course stays flat to gently rolling throughout, making it a popular pick for first-time marathoners and personal-best chasers alike. A half marathon and 5K run the same May weekend, rounding out a well-organized Southern California race weekend.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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OC Marathon Additional Details:
Aid stations along the route are largely community-run, local groups and clubs staff their own stops rather than a single outside vendor, giving the course a homegrown, neighborly feel even as it winds past Corona del Mar’s stretch of Pacific Coast Highway with genuine ocean views. At the finish, runners find more space to unwind than most races offer, anchored by a Sage Wellness area stocked with recovery treats and staffed by volunteers eager to help however needed. Between the coastal scenery, the laid-back post-race atmosphere, and a well-organized expo and gear-check operation, this race has built a reputation for smooth logistics from start to finish, the kind of race where the production quality matches the setting.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours (full), 3.5 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 9,000 to 9,500
Marathon: 2,500 to 2,800
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 245 ft (75 m)
Elevation Loss: 254 ft (77 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 55°F
- High: 70°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 Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Landmark
California Scenario
Wander Isamu Noguchi’s sculpture garden, California Scenario, tucked between office towers near South Coast Plaza — a quiet, flat, artistic rest-day stop after race weekend.
Shopping
South Coast Plaza
Browse more than 250 luxury boutiques and 30 restaurants at South Coast Plaza, from Hermès to Gucci — an easy, flat, air-conditioned shopping option after race weekend.
Arts & Culture
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Catch a world-class performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions — a relaxed, seated evening option after race day.
Food & Drink
Terrace by Mix Mix
Sample refined California cuisine at Terrace by Mix Mix from award-winning chef Ross Pangilinan, right in the heart of Costa Mesa — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Talbert Nature Preserve
Walk nine flat, easy trails through wetlands and native plants at Talbert Nature Preserve along the Santa Ana River — a beginner-friendly option for tapering or recovering legs.
Hotels & Lodging Near the OC Marathon
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Boston Qualifier: Yes