Long Beach Marathon 2027: Guide to SoCal’s Fast, Oceanfront Boston Qualifier

Southern California has bigger marathons, but few that combine speed, scenery and atmosphere quite like Long Beach. The course runs along the Pacific, past the Queen Mary, through Belmont Shore and around Cal State Long Beach, on closed roads at close to sea level — and it’s an official Boston qualifier.

It’s also growing fast. The 2026 race sold out with a record field of more than 28,000 across the weekend, including a record 7,500 in the marathon. The 43rd Long Beach Marathon takes place over the weekend of 2-3 October 2027, and organisers expect more than 30,000 runners.

Here’s everything you need to know to race it well.

Long Beach Marathon 2027: Race Overview

Race Weekend: Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 October 2027 (43rd edition)
Marathon and Half Marathon: Sunday 3 October 2027
Aquarium of the Pacific 5K: Saturday 2 October 2027
Location: Long Beach, California, USA
Start: Downtown Long Beach — the marathon started at 5:30am in 2026, the third year in a row at that time
Finish: Shoreline Drive, downtown, with a finish festival and beer garden
Course: USATF-certified, close to sea level and largely flat; official Boston qualifier
Field: 30,000+ runners expected across all events (2026: 7,500 marathon, 16,500 half marathon)
Roads: Closed to traffic, with spectators along the route

Why Run Long Beach?

A Fast, Flat Boston Qualifier

Long Beach is close to sea level, USATF-certified and an official Boston qualifier. The course isn’t completely flat — there’s around 470 feet of total climbing and one noticeable rise in the late teens — but for a big-city marathon it’s quick, and plenty of runners come here specifically to chase a BQ.

The Ocean

Much of the race runs beside the Pacific. The beach path section puts you a few feet from the water, and the half marathon is famous for having ocean views along most of its route. Few marathons in the United States offer this much coastline.

A Big Race With a Local Feel

Long Beach began in 1982, conceived by local YMCA members during the running boom, with around 1,600 runners in its early years. It’s now one of the largest running events in California, but it still feels like a community race: around 1,000 volunteers, lively neighbourhoods, and spectators lining the closed roads.

A Weekend for Everyone

The Saturday Aquarium of the Pacific 5K starts and finishes at the aquarium and runs through it — a genuinely unique race. Sunday has the marathon and half marathon, and the finish festival and beer garden on Shoreline Drive make it easy to bring friends and family.

The Long Beach Marathon Course

The course starts downtown and finishes on Shoreline Drive. Along the way it takes in the waterfront, the beach path, Belmont Shore, Marine Stadium and a loop around Cal State Long Beach before heading back toward the coast.

Downtown and Shoreline Village

The race starts in the dark in downtown Long Beach. The opening miles take you past Shoreline Village and the waterfront, with views across to the Queen Mary. With thousands of runners, the first mile is busy — settle in and let the crowd set a sensible early pace.

The Beach Path

Around miles 8-9, the course runs along the beach path, right beside the Pacific. It’s one of the most scenic sections of any American marathon. In 2026, organisers temporarily rerouted runners around this stretch because of high tides and coastal flood warnings — a reminder that this is a genuinely oceanfront course.

Belmont Shore and Marine Stadium

Next comes Belmont Shore, one of Long Beach’s liveliest neighbourhoods, and Marine Stadium, the historic rowing venue built for the 1932 Olympics. The crowds here are usually strong.

Cal State Long Beach and the Late Climb

The course then heads inland for a loop around Cal State Long Beach. This is the quietest part of the race and where the main climb arrives in the late teens. It’s not long, but it comes when your legs are starting to tire.

Back to the Coast and the Finish

The final miles return toward the ocean along Ocean Boulevard and down to the finish on Shoreline Drive. If you’ve paced well, this is where you can push.

The Half Marathon

The half marathon is the biggest race of the weekend, with 16,500 entrants in 2026. Its course passes The Pike, the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific and Lions Lighthouse, and around 90% of the route has ocean views. Its highest point is just 45 feet, which makes it one of the flattest big half marathons in the United States.

The half starts after the marathon, so marathon runners have the early part of the course to themselves.

Racing Long Beach Well

1. Use the Early Start

With a 5:30am start, you’ll begin in the dark and run your first hour before sunrise. That’s a big advantage: Southern California can be warm in October, and the early start means most of your race is done before the day heats up.

2. Pace for the Late Climb

Long Beach is fast, but not completely flat. Save a little for the climb in the late teens, and don’t panic if your pace slows there. Run by effort, then return to goal pace once the road flattens.

3. Watch the Weather

Early October usually brings good racing weather, but it can be warm and sunny — and, as 2026 showed, it can also be windy and wet. Check the forecast in race week and adjust your goal if it’s warm.

4. Fuel and Hydrate Early

Take carbohydrates every 30-40 minutes from early in the race, and drink at the aid stations even if the morning feels cool.

5. Respect the Ocean Breeze

Coastal sections can be exposed to wind. If it’s against you, tuck in behind other runners and run by effort.

How to Prepare

Training Plan

For a 3 October race, a 16-18 week block starts in early to mid-June 2027 — so you’ll train through the summer.

• Long runs: Build to 32-35km (20-22 miles), with marathon-pace segments
• Threshold work: Weekly tempo or threshold sessions
• Hill work: Short hills or rolling long runs to prepare for the late climb
• Heat: Run early in the morning, and don’t worry if your pace is slower in the summer heat

Boston Qualifying

If you’re aiming for a BQ, remember that Boston’s cut-off times often mean you need to run faster than your qualifying standard. Aim for a buffer, and check which Boston year your Long Beach time will count toward.

Travel and Logistics

• Expo: Collect your bib at the race expo in the days before the race. Check the official schedule for times and location.
• Stay downtown: The start and finish are both downtown, which makes race morning much easier.
• Plan for road closures: Most course roads close early on race morning and reopen in the early afternoon.
• Flying in: Long Beach Airport is close to downtown, and LAX is a short drive away.

Race Day

• Wake around 3:00-3:30am and eat a familiar breakfast.
• Arrive early. With more than 30,000 runners across the weekend, everything takes longer.
• Bring a throwaway layer for the dark early start.
• Plan your post-race meeting point before you head out.

After the Race

• First 24 hours: Walk, eat, drink and rest
• First week: No running for 3-5 days
• Weeks 2-4: Gradually return to easy running

Log It While It’s Fresh

Write down your finish time, your splits, how you handled the late climb, what the weather was like and whether you qualified for Boston. If you’re chasing a BQ, a clear record of each attempt is the best way to plan the next one.

Is Long Beach Right for You?

It’s Great If You:

• Want a fast, sea-level Boston qualifier
• Love ocean views and coastal running
• Like big-race atmosphere without the stress of a Major
• Want a race weekend that works for family and friends

Consider Other Options If You:

• Don’t like very early starts
• Struggle to train through summer heat
• Want a completely flat course with no climbs

Final Thoughts: Long Beach Marathon 2027

Long Beach is one of the best marathons in Southern California: fast, scenic, well organised and full of local spirit. With more than four decades of history and a growing field, it’s a great choice for a BQ attempt, a first marathon or a weekend by the ocean.

For 2027, enter early, train through the summer, and get ready for an early start on 3 October.

Running Long Beach in 2027, or have you raced it before? Share your experience on Instagram or Threads!