How do I register for the Surf City Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners and is handled online through Active.com. The marathon is capped at around 2,500 participants, so spots can fill before the event. Sign up early to secure your place.

Is the Surf City Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The flat, coastal layout gives you a realistic shot at hitting your qualifying standard if the conditions cooperate.

What is the course like?

Surf City is an out-and-back along the Huntington Beach shoreline with virtually no elevation change. The course sits close to sea level throughout, making it one of the flatter marathon routes in Southern California.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

The February start typically sees temperatures in the low 50s°F at the 6:30 AM gun, warming into the mid-to-upper 60s by midday. Coastal breezes are common and can become a factor on the return leg.

What is the time limit for the marathon?

The marathon has a 6.5-hour time limit.

How large is the field?

The marathon field is capped at approximately 2,500 participants, making it a relatively small and manageable race day experience.

Are there other race distances at Surf City?

Yes, in addition to the marathon, Surf City also offers a half marathon, a 5K, and a beach mile, all on the same weekend.

Sun, Feb 7 · 2027Huntington Beach, CASince 1997

Surf City Marathon

Surf City Marathon runs the Pacific shoreline in Huntington Beach on a flat out-and-back course, with cool February mornings and coastal breezes that make for honest, fast racing.

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SURF CITY · US

Surf City

SUN, FEB 7

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 1997

Surf City is a small, low-key race on the Huntington Beach coastline, and that's exactly what makes it work. It starts early, when the temperature is still in the low 50s, and runs out along the Pacific shoreline before turning you around and bringing you back. The course is flat the whole way. No hills to budget for, no surprise climbs late. What you put in is pretty much what you get out.

The coastal breeze is the one variable worth thinking about. It can be a gentle push on the way out and a grind on the way back, so don't bank too much on the first half feeling easy. February weather here is usually cooperative, mid-60s by the time most people finish, but check the forecast for wind. Registration is open to everyone and the marathon field is capped, so sign up earlier than you think you need to. If you're chasing a Boston qualifier, the course gives you every opportunity. It's a straightforward race to run well.

Field size

~2k

1,963 finishers

BQ rate

6%

Near national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

87 ft

Lowest point

2 ft

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

Surf City is an out-and-back along the Huntington Beach coastline with essentially no net elevation change. The course sits just above sea level for most of the route, peaking below 90 feet at its highest point. That flatness means pacing is largely in your hands from the start. The out leg is straightforward, but coastal breezes can shift direction on the return, so what felt like a tailwind heading out may cost you on the way back. The surface is predominantly paved path and road. No significant climbs or descents to manage, making it one of the more honest PR setups in Southern California.

Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

49°F

High

67°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

February in Huntington Beach runs cool at the gun and mild by the finish. You'll likely start in the high 40s, so a throwaway layer is worth it while you wait in the corral. By the back half the marine air usually settles in the mid-60s, which is comfortable but not cold. The coast keeps things breezy, so expect some wind on the out-and-back stretches. Overall it's a good window for a fast day, but the ocean exposure means conditions can shift. Don't overdress for the finish.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration for all distances (marathon, half marathon, 5K, beach mile). Registration is online via Active.com. Spots fill up, especially for the marathon which is limited to approximately 2,500 participants.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

SNA

8 mi

from the start

≈ 13 min transferOn the doorstep

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into SNA, about 8 miles from the start, right on the doorstep by rideshare or transit, roughly a 13-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Huntington Beach, CA so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.