OC Marathon
OC Marathon race day weather
Mild temps, steady wind, adjust pace
Runners will face a mild temperature trend from 60°F at the start to 61°F at the finish, with an average humidity of 78%. Wind will be light at 8 mph from the SSW, with headwinds from miles 2-3 and 21-24. Given the humidity, runners should adjust their pace conservatively, especially during the headwind sections.
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About the OC Marathon
The OC Marathon, established in 2004, starts near Fashion Island in Newport Beach and finishes at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. The course offers scenic coastal views as it winds through Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana, hitting landmarks like the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. With a net downhill profile, it’s known for its mix of flat and rolling sections, though runners face a notable incline at mile 14.5 over the 405 Freeway overpass.
Race weekend
Tips from Runners
From 8 race reports by runners: what worked for them, not official race information.
On the Santa Ana River Trail stretch after about mile 15, keep your head up and stay alert. One 2023 runner saw near-misses between cyclists and runners because the path was open to both.
Line up in the right corral, and find it before you warm up. A 2025 runner jogged to the wrong end of the start area, found the corrals packed, and lost about 4 miles to congestion.
Take the climb over the 405 bridge steadily. A 2018 runner found it manageable, and a 2019 runner said the only real hill came near mile 7.
- On the Santa Ana River Trail stretch after about mile 15, keep your head up and stay alert. One 2023 runner saw near-misses between cyclists and runners because the path was open to both.
- Take the climb over the 405 bridge steadily. A 2018 runner found it manageable, and a 2019 runner said the only real hill came near mile 7.
- Line up in the right corral, and find it before you warm up. A 2025 runner jogged to the wrong end of the start area, found the corrals packed, and lost about 4 miles to congestion.
OC Marathon FAQ
When is the 2027 OC Marathon?
Is the OC Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier?
What will the weather be like for the 2027 OC Marathon?
What is the weather usually like for the OC Marathon?
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OC Marathon reviews and race reports
A pretty coastal first half, then a long run through suburbs and a mall. Mostly flat, with only a couple of small hills.
Coast and Back Bay to start — The first miles follow the ocean and the Newport Beach Back Bay, and runners liked the views. A 2019 runner also praised the shady neighborhoods and the wetlands preserve.
The inland second half — Two 2023 runners found the inland miles dull, through a shopping mall and suburban sprawl, and one said crowds were sparse. One of them said it was why he would not return.
The finish loop in Costa Mesa — A 2018 runner found the finish odd. The course passes behind the stage, then loops through a parking lot before the line. A 2019 runner got a lift from finished runners lining the end for high fives.
Unexpected PB with no taper or time goals
The OC Marathon starts at 5:30am, which was ideal for me as an early morning runner, as it made it feel like just another Sunday long run, though one with thousands of other runners around. Even though I made it to the starting line area with plenty of time to eat a box of Mike and Ikes, use the porta potty twice and jog a half mile, I lost track of time and all sense of direction, not realizing I was on the opposite end of where the corrals were filling up. By the time I realized my oversight, the corrals were jam-packed, and the best I could do was squeeze in behind the 3:20 pacers.
Survived mile 22 struggle to achieve a 14-minute PR
Overall, things went well! Money can't but happiness but it can pay for a race entry and Adidas Pro Evo 1s, which are the shoes I raced in. It can also buy a multimillion dollar beachside house in Newport Beach, CA which makes great scenery to run by. Who owns these homes? What do they do for a living? Is shutting down the roads that lead to these homes once a year during a marathon my best chance at exacting justice against the bourgeoisie?... Where did I go wrong?
Struggled with humidity and hydration, but still finished strong.
This race felt hard from the beginning. I think a combo of the humidity and lack of hydration took a toll from the start. There were a pack of about 5 in the lead and I heard them talking about Olympic qualifying times at the start so I knew to let them go, I was trying to run my own race and stick to my A goal of sub 2:40.
Boring course and dangerous trail section led to a decision not to return.
0-15. Stuck with the 3:20 pacers this whole time without any issues. Since I did this race last year, the course and everything felt like deja vu (all over again haha). The first few miles of the course was a beautiful route along the coast and the Newport Beach Back Bay. The rest of the course was basically through suburbia hell - really unremarkable.
Enjoyed ocean views but lost interest in suburban sprawl
The race course was fun for the first half with nice ocean views as the sun started to peak over the mountains but became much less interesting in the 2nd half as the course navigated through a shopping mall and upscale suburban sprawl. Good energy from the crowd and nice smattering of different musicians along the way though which was a nice surprise.