2026 Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon

The 2026 Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Huntington Beach, California. The event features primarily road courses that are flat and fast, utilizing Pacific Coast Highway and scenic beachfront paths. February in Huntington Beach typically offers cool to mild morning temperatures, generally ranging from the low 50s to low 60s °F (approx. 11–16°C), with low humidity and minimal precipitation, providing favorable conditions for running along the coast. Participants can expect a weekend of events starting Saturday, January 31, with the Beach Mile, followed by the marathon, half marathon, and 5K on Sunday.

What event formats are available?

The 2026 Surf City Marathon weekend offers both in-person and virtual participation options:

• →In-person events: Held on-site in Huntington Beach on January 31 and February 1, 2026.
• →Virtual events: Available for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Beach Mile, allowing participants to complete the distance on their own terrain and schedule.

What distances are offered, and when are they held?

The event weekend includes the following distances:

• →Beach Mile: Held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, on the sand of Huntington Beach.
• →Marathon: Held on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
• →Half Marathon: Held on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
• →5K: Held on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

What are the course characteristics and terrain?

The courses are primarily road-based with specific terrain features:

• →Marathon and Half Marathon: Road races on paved streets and multi-use beachfront paths. The courses are flat and fast, utilizing Pacific Coast Highway and the Huntington Beach shoreline.
• →5K: A road race on paved coastal streets near the pier, designed as a short coastal loop or out-and-back.
• →Beach Mile: A soft-surface event run on the sand of Huntington Beach.
• →Virtual Races: Terrain is self-selected by the participant.

How much does registration cost?

Pricing for in-person events is as follows (including fees):

• →In-person Marathon: Approximately $218.41 USD (includes ~$19.41 in fees).
• →In-person Half Marathon: Approximately $202.06 USD (includes ~$18.06 in fees).
• →In-person 5K: Approximately $77.80 USD (includes ~$7.80 in fees).
• →Beach Mile: Approximately $38.56 USD (includes ~$4.56 in fees).
• →Virtual Events: Pricing mirrors the in-person structure (e.g., Virtual Marathon ~$218.41 USD).

What is the registration status for each distance?

As of the listing information provided:

• →In-person Marathon: Marked as sold out, with a waitlist available.
• →In-person Half Marathon: Open at full price.
• →In-person 5K: Open for registration.
• →Beach Mile: Available for registration.

What is the course time limit for the marathon?

The marathon has a strict course time limit:

• →Overall Limit: 6.5 hours.
• →Finish Line Closure: 1:15 PM.
• →Required Pace: Approximately 14:53 per mile.
• →Enforcement: Participants falling behind the required pace may be required to board a sweep vehicle due to event permit constraints.

What are the specific cutoff points for the marathon?

There are three specific cutoff points along the marathon course:

• →Cutoff #1 (Mile 4.4): Located at Edwards Street & Overlook Drive, approximately 7:45 AM. Missing this results in a diversion and a shortened course (approx. 4.1 miles removed).
• →Cutoff #2 (Mile 9.9): Located at Seapoint Street & Pacific Coast Highway, approximately 9:07 AM. Late runners must turn left to head south, shortening the route by about 4.7 miles.
• →Cutoff #3 (Mile 16.5): Located at 14th Street Path & Pacific Coast Highway, approximately 10:45 AM. Runners cannot turn right onto the beach path and continue south, shortening the route by about 9 miles.

What does the marathon course look like?

The marathon course features a loop design with significant ocean views:

• →Start/Early Section: Starts on Pacific Coast Highway heading north toward the Huntington Beach Pier, turns inland toward Huntington Beach Central Park, and returns to the oceanfront area.
• →Mid-Course: Heads north on Pacific Coast Highway past the Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, makes a U-turn, and heads south toward the pier on wide asphalt.
• →Beachfront Path: Approximately 8 miles are run on a paved multi-purpose path directly along the sand.
• →Final Section: After a final U-turn on the beachfront path, runners head back toward the pier and rejoin Pacific Coast Highway for the finish near the oceanfront.

Are there special considerations for the Beach Mile?

Yes, the Beach Mile has specific registration notes:

• →It is a separate event held on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
• →It is designed specifically for those doing the Beach Mile alone.
• →Adding the Beach Mile to another distance during main registration is noted to be cheaper than registering for it separately.

What is included with registration?

While specific amenities are not detailed in the provided text, standard in-person race registration typically includes:

• →Race entry for the selected distance.
• →Timing services for the official results.
• →A participant bib.
• →Post-race refreshments (common for major events, though not explicitly confirmed here).
• →Finisher recognition (medals or certificates vary by event).