The Humboldt Bay Marathon was the 476th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 399th largest in 2022.
This year 18.6% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 25.5% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Humboldt Bay Marathon the 25th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 56th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 98.12 ranks it as the 313th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 24th fastest course in California.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Humboldt Bay Marathon a PR Score of 97.03. This PR Score ranks it as the 329th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 24th fastest in California.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Humboldt Bay Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 168 feet (51m) Min Elevation: 3 feet (0m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Humboldt Bay Marathon
View available accomodations around the Humboldt Bay Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the Humboldt Bay Marathon in 3:36:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
A very nicely organized tiny hometown-race-type event. Ran as an out-and-back-twice route along the Eureka, CA waterfront trail, with the half-marathon field starting an hour later, so you're coming across faster and slower runners as they go in the other direction. Zero congestion at any point as there were only about 50 marathon runners and 130 half marathon runners on the course in 2023. The race is USATF certified and thus BQ eligible.
You'll be able to earn your BQ at this race, but be prepared for some lonely running. The course is mostly flat, except for the end where you run over three bridges before entering Eureka and the finish line. Part of the race (miles 2-5 approximately) are run on the Waterfront Trail--smooth running here. For miles 10-16, you'll run on some gnarly country roads. They're paved, but watch your step! There are aid stations every 2 miles (water, electrolyte drink, and sometimes energy gels) and the volunteers are awesome--they will be your biggest cheering block (besides the chickens and cows). It is fun running in fog, I had never done it before, and you might feel as though you've made a wrong turn and that you're the only person left on the planet. This is a scary, intoxicating feeling, kind of like the first time you tried whippets. Whaaa?! Anyway, I had fun running this race and recommend it highly!
Race Tips
It's a small race (80 people this year). Stick to your goal pace...the hills at the end aren't killers, but they're substantial. What to expect on race day: cool temps (54 degrees F) and high humidity (100%).
