Long Beach Marathon
Long Beach, United States · October · Independent
Photo is not from race dayRMS_Queen_Mary_Long_Beach_January_2011.jpg: David Jones from Isle of Wight, Unit, CC BY 2.0Why people love it
- Passes the Queen Mary and Shoreline Village, then runs the beach path.
- Flat at sea level; the reported gain of 143 m (470 ft) likely includes GPS noise.
- 7.5 hour cutoff, about 10:40 min/km (17:11 min/mi).
- Downhill finish back to Ocean Boulevard.
- Boston qualifier with 5,805 finishers in 2026.
Watch out for
- The start was 5:30 am in the dark in 2024 to 2026, with 15 to 30 minute delays reported.
- Aid is the top complaint: weak electrolytes from about 6 km (4 mi) and little on the beach path.
- Half marathoners merge in the last 3 km (2 mi) and crowd the course.
- Race-date highs reached 38 °C (101 °F) in some years.
- The beach path is exposed with little shade.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.9
RaceRaves 4.3 out of 5 from 334 ratings (85 marathon), MarathonGuide 3.7 from 3. Ocean views are praised; aid and crowding are not. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.2
Repeated reports of 15 to 30 minute late starts, corral confusion, weak electrolyte drink and unclear closure and parking information in 2026. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.8
Flat, a generous 7.5 hour cutoff (about 10:40 min/km, 17:11 min/mi) and a big field. Heat, thin aid and the half-marathon merge are the hazards. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.5
Flat on paper with a downhill finish. A 2023 marathoner said it could have been fast but for horseshoe turns and crowds. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful3.9
Ocean views, Queen Mary, Shoreline Village and the beach path. RaceRaves scenery score is 4.2. The long straight beach path is exposed and monotonous. · Medium confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points3.0
Crowded early miles, thousands funnelled into one lane in 2026, and half marathoners clog the last 3 km (2 mi). · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.7
No surface complaints found. Mix of road and paved bike path. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.8
Police traffic control praised in a 2022 review. 2026 closure and parking information was unclear. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessMostly flat4.0
Reported gain 143 m (470 ft) but a stated high point of 14 m (45 ft). Reviewers call it flat. · Low confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Loop, 143 m (470 ft) up and 141 m (462 ft) down, finishing on a downhill stretch. Boston qualifier. · High confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.0
A 5:30 start in the dark, with 15 to 30 minute delays reported in 2023 and 2024 and corral confusion. Porta-potties were plentiful in 2018. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingGood3.7
Pace groups not confirmed in sources found. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent3.4
Spectator energy is praised, but a 2022 racer found it sparse with no live bands, and the beach path has the smallest crowds. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.0
Most repeated complaint: weak electrolytes arriving after 6 km (4 mi) and little aid on the beach path. Some praise for 2026 fuel stops. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.6
One report had no wind at the start; the beach path is exposed. · Low confidence
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.3
Early start is mild at 16 to 18 °C (61 to 64 °F), but hot years reach 29 to 38 °C (84 to 101 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
Race-date highs ran 23 to 38 °C (74 to 101 °F) from 2022 to 2026, plus drizzle and a coastal flood warning in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.2
Spectators can reach several points downtown and near the beach, but the 5:30 start and spillover onto the course in 2026 make it harder. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 10 m (33 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.3
Many downtown hotels near the start. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.4
Reasonable for coastal Southern California, not verified for 2027. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.9
Downtown start near Shoreline Drive and the Convention Center expo, walkable from nearby hotels. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.1
Long Beach Airport is about 8 km (5 mi) from downtown and LAX about 30 km (19 mi). · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
Convention Center packet pickup was easy, but 2026 parking and street closure information was unclear. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Waterfront, Belmont Shore and downtown restaurants. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy4.2
Open entry, record 7,500 marathon runners in 2026; no sell-out evidence found. · Low confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.3
Medals are often praised, shirts get mixed reactions and finish food is thin (water, bananas, coconut water in 2018). Fee not found. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Long Beach, Los Angeles County, United States
- Typical month
- October
- Latest or next date
- 3 October 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 5,800 athletes
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Climbing
- 143 m (470 ft)
- Descent
- 141 m (465 ft)
- Start time
- 05:30
- Cutoff
- 7.5 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Asphalt and paved beach bike path
- How to get in
- open
- Air temperature
- 16–26 °C (61–79 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate, with coastal fog and marine layer
- Altitude
- 10 m (33 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Long Beach (LGB), 8 km (5 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Long Beach, Shoreline Village, Belmont Shore
- Booking
- Downtown hotels near the Convention Center and Shoreline Village are closest to the start. Book early for race weekend.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Reviewers like the ocean views and flat profile but complain about crowded starts and narrow early miles, weak electrolyte drink, late starts and heat. 2026 reviewers described spectators spilling onto the course.
“Spectators bled onto the course and thousands of runners were forced into one lane.”
- MarathonGuideRaced 2024 · aggregator · Mixed
Three reviews averaging 3.7. A 2024 racer loved the course but was frustrated by half marathoners merging for the last 3 km (2 mi) with people stopping for selfies. A 2022 racewalker found it well organised with good police traffic control but sparse spectators. A 2026 reviewer wanted clearer closure and parking information and more aid.
- Run to the FinishRaced 2018 · blog · Positive
Half marathon report from a coach with a comped entry. Flat, sea level, semi out-and-back with horseshoe turns. Plentiful porta-potties and not crowded, but water-only aid, a limited finish table and a disappointing shirt.
“It's pricey, but a really nice way to treat yourself.”
- Spectrum NewsRaced 2026 · article · neutral
The 2026 course was moved about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) inland before mile 8 because of forecast high tides and a coastal flood warning. Drizzle, a 5:30 start, and a record 7,500 marathon runners.
- BibRaveaggregator · Positive
Reviewers say about 80% of the course is near the ocean, the early elevation change is small and the half marathon merge frustrates marathoners.
Raced Long Beach Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Long Beach Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.