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Run the Long Beach Marathon
The Long Beach Marathon just celebrated its 39th anniversary! Held in the vibrant city of Long Beach, California, this marathon is more than just a race; it is a very fun run through a picturesque coastal city. The Long Beach Marathon ranks as the 17th fastest course in California with its long flat course. With visual stimulation all around, including running by the Queen Mary and long stretches of blue ocean, these sites make the Long Beach Marathon a remarkable event in the world of long-distance running.
2023 was my ten year anniversary running the 1/2 Marathon at this event. I just love it!
The Long Beach Marathon History
The Long Beach Marathon was inaugurated in 1982 and has since become a hallmark event in the running calendar. It evolved from the Long Beach Bike Tour, an event that started in 1978. The marathon quickly gained traction due to its scenic route, flat terrain, and ideal weather conditions, attracting seasoned runners and novices alike. Over the years, the event has grown and diversified, encompassing multiple races catering to various fitness levels and age groups.
Getting to the Long Beach Marathon and Parking
Getting to this race is nearly impossible. The street closures are beyond challenging. We now stay in a hotel before the race. If you are driving in, give yourself a lot of extra time. Once you get in, parking is great, they offer a lot of options and all a very quick walk to the start.
Porto Potty Town
The Long Beach Marathon does a great job with porto potties at the start line and throughout the course. But it is a big event and there are always lines. And, like all races – they get destroyed. Bring your own toilet paper, you will likely need it.
Expo and Race Village
The Long Beach Marathon’s excitement begins at the vibrant Race Expo and Race Village. The expo is large – it’s a world of fitness gear, nutritional products, and race essentials, as well as the hub where participants gather to collect their race bibs, race shirts and legacy gear. The Race Village has live music, local vendors, Beer Garden and cheering supporters.
Courses:
Marathon
The Long Beach Marathon typically features a flat and fast course that takes participants on a 26.2-mile journey through the charming city of Long Beach. The route begins near the iconic Shoreline Village, following a path along the scenic Pacific Ocean before meandering through beautiful neighborhoods and iconic landmarks such as the Queen Mary. The course offers picturesque views of the ocean and provides a glimpse into the vibrant culture and lifestyle of Long Beach.
Half Marathon
The half marathon, covering 13.1 miles, follows a similar course to the marathon, providing participants with a taste of the full marathon experience. Runners begin at the same starting point and enjoy the breathtaking views and engaging neighborhoods, although they conclude their race sooner than the full marathon participants.
Unique Features of the Long Beach Marathon
The Queen Mary
One of the highlights of the Long Beach Marathon course is the Queen Mary, an iconic ocean liner permanently docked in Long Beach. Runners have the opportunity to pass by this majestic ship, offering a unique and historically significant element to their marathon journey.
Oceanfront Course
The scenic oceanfront course is undoubtedly one of the most appealing aspects of the Long Beach Marathon. Participants run along the coastline, soaking in the beauty of the Pacific Ocean as they push towards the finish line. The refreshing sea breeze and stunning views make this marathon a favorite among runners seeking a memorable and picturesque race.
The Long Beach Aquarium
Another beautiful feature is the Long Beach Aquarium with its beautiful, blue building, dolphin statue and manicured gardens – all are a welcome treat as you run by.
Final Details
https://runlongbeach.comThe race has a scheduled starting time of 6:00 AM for the full marathon and 7:30 AM for the half marathon, and runners have 6 hours to complete the half marathon course — which means it’s open to walkers as well as runners.
The race also includes a 5K that’s open to both runners and walkers and a one-mile fun run for kids — titled the Aquarium of the Pacific Fun Run — in addition to a separate wheelchair marathon and bicycle tour of the marathon course.
Click here for updated event information about the Long Beach Marathon.
Race Information
Long Beach Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K
Race Dates:
- 2024 – Oct 5-6, 2024
Events:
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 5K
- Expo
- Bike
Total Event Size:
- 29th Largest Marathon in the US
- 18,000 Total Event Runners
Course Info:
- Profile: Majority Flat
- Type: Loop
- Road Surface: Road & Pavement
Elevation:
- Max Elevation: 83 ft
- Min Elevation: 5ft
- Elevation Gain: 470ft
- Elevation Loss: 462 ft
Boston Qualifier:
- Yes
PR and Course Score:
- 210th Fastest Course in US
- 17th Fastest Course in California
- PR Score: 96.79
- Course Score: 98.89
Marathon Race Finisher Size:
- 2023 Finishers: TBD
- 2022 Finishers: 1,936
- 2021 Finishers: 1,344
BQ Percentages:
- 2023 Finishers: TBD
- 2022 Finishers: 4.9%
- 2021 Finishers: 5.2%