2027 Surf City Marathon - Feb 7

2027 Surf City Marathon - Feb 7 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2027 Surf City Marathon - Feb 7
CityHuntington Beach
Date2027-02-07 at 06:30
Time Limit6 hours 30 min
Cutoff pace9:15/km
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Official SiteMotiv Sports
RegistrationRegister

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature14.7°C / 58°F
Humidity72%
Wind18.3 km/h
Rain Chance18%
Typical ConditionsMild, mostly dry early-February SoCal coast morning — cool at the 6:30 a.m. start, warming through the run

What to Prepare: A typical race morning starts cool, around 49°F / 9°C, and warms toward a mean of about 58°F / 14°C with daytime highs near 67°F / 19°C. Onshore breeze off the Pacific is light at dawn. Wear a throwaway long-sleeve or trash bag at the start, race in shorts and a singlet, and bring sunglasses and sunscreen — the back half on the PCH is exposed with little shade.

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 18.3 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 12.1°C 14.3°C 17.6°C
Dew point 4.9°C 9.2°C 12.1°C
Wet-day chance: 18% Runnability: 79/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeCoastal out-and-back
Elevation Gain113m
TerrainRoad and paved beachfront path (flat, mostly exposed coastline)
ProfileOne of Southern California's flattest, fastest marathons and a popular winter Boston qualifier. The course runs largely as an out-and-back along the Pacific Coast Highway with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, passing the iconic Huntington Beach Pier and threading the oceanfront beach path. Total elevation gain is modest at about 371 ft (113 m); the highest point sits under 100 ft above sea level, and the only real climb comes between roughly miles 3 and 4 — after that it is flat and exposed. A loop through Huntington Central Park adds variety before the long, scenic PCH stretch where runners hear the surf the whole way. USATF-certified and Boston-qualifying, it is well suited to first-timers chasing a finish and to experienced runners targeting a flat-course PR. Note the mostly shadeless coastal road and possible onshore wind on the return leg.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Surf City Marathon - Feb 7

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Featured In

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027 Surf City Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2027 Surf City Marathon is on Sunday, February 7, 2027, with the full-marathon start at 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time in Huntington Beach, California (wheelchair athletes start at 6:28 a.m.). It is held on the first Sunday of February — the same Super Bowl weekend slot the race traditionally uses. The start corral is at Huntington Street and the Pacific Coast Highway.

Is the Surf City Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The Surf City Marathon is USATF-certified and a Boston-qualifying course. Because it is flat and fast — only about 371 ft (113 m) of total elevation gain — it is a popular winter race for runners chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time. You can check your target pace with our Boston qualifying calculator.

How hard is the Surf City Marathon course?

It is considered one of the easier big-city marathons in the U.S. The course is flat and fast, running largely as an out-and-back along the Pacific Coast Highway. The highest point is under 100 ft above sea level, and the only meaningful climb is a short rise between about miles 3 and 4. The main challenges are the largely shadeless coastal road and a possible onshore headwind on the return leg. Plan splits with our pace calculator.

What is the time limit for the Surf City Marathon?

The official course time limit for the full marathon is 6.5 hours, which works out to roughly a 14:53 per mile pace. There are intermediate course cut-off points along the route and a hard finish-line close in the early afternoon, so runners need to keep a steady pace to stay ahead of the rolling course reopening enforced by Huntington Beach Police.

How do I register for the Surf City Marathon?

Registration is open online at the official site, runsurfcity.com, run by Motiv Sports. There is no lottery — entry is first-come, first-served, and prices rise as each release tier sells out, so registering early is the cheapest option. The weekend also offers a half marathon, 5K and a one-mile beach run if you want a shorter distance.

What is the Surf City Marathon medal like?

The Surf City Marathon is famous for its surfboard-shaped finisher medal — a glow-in-the-dark surfboard with palm-tree and seagull artwork that also doubles as a bottle opener. The surfboard medal is a long-running tradition that helps make this one of the most recognizable beach-themed marathons in California.

What is the weather like for the Surf City Marathon?

Early February in Huntington Beach is mild and usually dry. Expect a cool start near 49°F (9°C) at 6:30 a.m., a daytime mean around 58°F (14°C), and highs near 67°F (19°C). A light onshore breeze off the Pacific is common, and the coastal road offers little shade, so sunglasses and sunscreen are worth packing.

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