The start line for the Redding Marathon is at the famous Shasta Dam located north of Redding in the town of Shasta Lake City. You will run across the dam and descend down to the paved trail that parallels the Sacramento River. Stunning views await you as you will run the 1st 9.7 miles to the Keswick transistion ( leg 1-2 of the relay)
Miles 10 to 18: ~Year two of the reroute due to the 2018 CARR FireMiles 10 to 18 will take you into the town of Old Shasta and quickly onto a descending paved trail back to the River Trail. This section of the course was severely burned during the CARR fire of 2018. As the area rebounds, you will see green growth as the plants and trees reappear. While the climb into Old Shasta is steep you will find that you will make up time on the descent.
Miles 18-26.2: Here you will rejoin the Sacramento River Trail and run a route across the historic Diestlhorst Bridge ( leg 2-3 transition) running out and back on the north side of the river trail and finishing on the iconic glass Sundial Bridge!
The Redding Marathon was the 334th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 294th largest in 2022.
This year 6.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 6.4% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Redding Marathon the 293rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 236th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.35 ranks it as the 129th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 8th fastest course in California.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Redding Marathon a PR Score of 99.35. This PR Score ranks it as the 90th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 8th fastest in California.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Redding Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 1084 feet (330m) Min Elevation: 486 feet (148m)
Logistics: registration in person and getting from finish to start via shuttle buses was smooth and easy. Low priced marathon even registering day before. Great t-shirt (long-sleeve with 1/4 zip).
Course: spectacular dramatic start at top of Shasta Dam with fast descent on road for first 2-3 miles. Then transition to paved river trails for most of the rest of the race. Flat up until mile ~11 and then some notable hills that shake up the legs. Another descent back to flats with a few short/steep little hills in mile 24 that are surprising but not long. Route marking was a little lacking in last 2 miles with multiple intersections not clear. A few runners were misled by lead cyclist which made them add an extra miles, but most won't be in that situation. Enjoy this scenery - it's the #1 reason I ran it.
Post-race: great finish line on Sundial Bridge, very warm welcome back with a mylar blankie which is helpful because temps are cool for this place, great post-race food (soup and pie!). Results were a bit informal and not posted within ~1 hr, but you could ask how you finished. Nice plaques for top 3 age groupers.
Race Tips
The marathon relay makes it interesting and creates fun crowds at the transitions, which was helpful to us solo marathoners. It also made it harder to track who was ahead/behind me if you're keeping score of your relative place, but it all washes out in the end. Relayers gave me someone to chase once in a while. Save something for the later hills in Miles 11-13 and Mile 24; don't go hard on that first long, big downhill, or you will regret it, and I train a lot on hilly trails.
Be familiar with course map. Some areas on this course are a little tricky. Get a hotel near race finish and ask for late check out, so you can get back and shower for the long drive home if you're from out of town. Hang out afterwards to meet great local runners.
Km's review of 2017 Redding Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Most beautiful views the whole way. Awesome volunteers and well organized.
Pretty course, good wildlife. However, the aid station fuel didn't match what the website said. In fact, no calories provided in first half of the race. Deceptively hilly with lots of subtle rolling. Still fun though, just tough going.
Race Tips
Bring a couple of your own gu's even if you don't usually do that. Maybe more hill training. Don't expect any socializing. It's a quiet race, and i think often a wet race.
4.3 Stars from 3 Reviews
