2027 OC Marathon - May 2 Countdown

Q: How do you register for the OC Marathon?

Entry is first-come, first-served (open registration) until the field sells out at capacity &mdash; there is no lottery. Registration for the 2027 race opens August 1, 2026 on the official site and stays open through April 30, 2027 (or until full). Prices rise as the race approaches, so registering early saves money and guarantees a spot.

Q: How much elevation gain does the OC Marathon have?

The full course climbs about +170 m (roughly 560 ft) of total ascent but is net downhill, dropping from around 170 ft (52 m) at the start to about 60 ft (18 m) at the finish. The bulk of the descent comes in the first 5 miles, with only short bumps at miles 7, 11, the overpass near mile 14.5, and around mile 22.

Q: Where does the OC Marathon start and finish?

It is a point-to-point course that starts in Newport Beach (near Fashion Island and the oceanfront resort area) and finishes at the OC Fair &amp; Event Center in Costa Mesa, off the 55 Freeway. The route runs through Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana neighborhoods before the festival finish.

Q: Is the OC Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The full marathon is USATF-certified and an official Boston Marathon qualifier. Only the full-marathon distance counts toward Boston &mdash; half-marathon times do not. The net-downhill profile makes it a popular choice for runners chasing a BQ time.

Q: What is the time limit for the OC Marathon?

The course time limit is 7 hours, which works out to a 16:00 per-mile pace. A 'balloon lady' walks the back of the field at that pace. Runners who have not reached roughly mile 12 by 9:00 AM are diverted onto the half-marathon route to finish; after the cutoff, roads reopen and aid stations close.

Q: What should I wear and expect for race-day weather?

Expect a mild, humid coastal morning near 17&deg;C (63&deg;F), warming into the low 20s&deg;C (low 70s&deg;F) by late morning. Rain is rare (about 4% chance) but a marine-layer haze is common at the start and usually burns off. Wear light, breathable kit and a throwaway top layer for the corral; plan hydration around the warming temperatures.

Q: How hard is the OC Marathon course?

It is considered a fast, beginner-friendly course thanks to its net-downhill profile and generous 7-hour limit. The early downhill miles let you bank time without forcing the pace, while the few short climbs (miles 7, 11, 14.5 overpass, 22) are minor. Aid stations are spaced roughly every mile (around 20 in total) with water and sports drink, so support is plentiful end to end.

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Registration opens 2026-08 View official registration →

Race Information

Race	2027 OC Marathon - May 2
City	Newport Beach / Costa Mesa
Date	2027-05-02 at 05:30
Field Size	~3,000 runners
Time Limit	7 hours
Cutoff pace	9:57/km
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
Official Site	The OC Marathon LLC

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	16.1°C / 61°F
Humidity	80%
Wind	19.6 km/h
Rain Chance	7%
Typical Conditions	Mild, humid coastal May morning, often with a lifting marine-layer haze

What to Prepare: Early May on the Orange County coast is mild and humid, starting near 17°C (63°F) and warming into the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) by late morning. Rain is rare (about 4% chance), but the marine layer keeps humidity around 71%, so the morning fog usually burns off as you run. Start in throwaway layers you can shed and plan your hydration for a course that warms up as it opens out.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 19.6 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

	Cooler	Typical	Warmer
Temperature	14.2°C	15.5°C	18.9°C
Dew point	9.4°C	12°C	13.5°C

Wet-day chance: 7% Runnability: 74/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point
Elevation Gain	170m
Terrain	Road (coastal streets and city boulevards)
Profile	A fast, net-downhill point-to-point that drops from about 170 ft (52 m) near the start to roughly 60 ft (18 m) at the finish, with around +170 m of total climbing spread over a few rolling sections. Most of the elevation loss comes in the first 5 miles; the only notable bumps are short hills near miles 7, 11, the 405 Freeway overpass at mile 14.5 (about 50 ft / 15 m), and near mile 22. USATF-certified and an official Boston qualifier; entry is first-come.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 OC Marathon - May 2

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

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Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

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Wind Effect on Running — How Much Does Wind Slow You?

How much does a headwind actually slow you down? This free calculator turns wind speed and direction...

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Elevation Gain/Loss Impact Calculator

How much will hills slow you down? Enter elevation gain, loss, and distance to see adjusted pace, di...

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Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) Calculator — Hills & Strava

Convert uphill or downhill running pace to flat-equivalent GAP in one click. Free grade adjusted pac...

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View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you register for the OC Marathon?

Entry is first-come, first-served (open registration) until the field sells out at capacity — there is no lottery. Registration for the 2027 race opens August 1, 2026 on the official site and stays open through April 30, 2027 (or until full). Prices rise as the race approaches, so registering early saves money and guarantees a spot.

How much elevation gain does the OC Marathon have?

The full course climbs about +170 m (roughly 560 ft) of total ascent but is net downhill, dropping from around 170 ft (52 m) at the start to about 60 ft (18 m) at the finish. The bulk of the descent comes in the first 5 miles, with only short bumps at miles 7, 11, the overpass near mile 14.5, and around mile 22.

Where does the OC Marathon start and finish?

It is a point-to-point course that starts in Newport Beach (near Fashion Island and the oceanfront resort area) and finishes at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, off the 55 Freeway. The route runs through Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana neighborhoods before the festival finish.

Is the OC Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The full marathon is USATF-certified and an official Boston Marathon qualifier. Only the full-marathon distance counts toward Boston — half-marathon times do not. The net-downhill profile makes it a popular choice for runners chasing a BQ time.

What is the time limit for the OC Marathon?

The course time limit is 7 hours, which works out to a 16:00 per-mile pace. A 'balloon lady' walks the back of the field at that pace. Runners who have not reached roughly mile 12 by 9:00 AM are diverted onto the half-marathon route to finish; after the cutoff, roads reopen and aid stations close.

What should I wear and expect for race-day weather?

Expect a mild, humid coastal morning near 17°C (63°F), warming into the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) by late morning. Rain is rare (about 4% chance) but a marine-layer haze is common at the start and usually burns off. Wear light, breathable kit and a throwaway top layer for the corral; plan hydration around the warming temperatures.

How hard is the OC Marathon course?

It is considered a fast, beginner-friendly course thanks to its net-downhill profile and generous 7-hour limit. The early downhill miles let you bank time without forcing the pace, while the few short climbs (miles 7, 11, 14.5 overpass, 22) are minor. Aid stations are spaced roughly every mile (around 20 in total) with water and sports drink, so support is plentiful end to end.