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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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Surf City Marathon

Huntington Beach, CA
Sunday, February 7, 2027


  4.6 Stars from 12 Reviews

Course Description
The Surf City Marathon is a mostly flat course with elevations varying from sea level to nearly 100 feet. The course travels by the famous Huntington Beach pier and continues through scenic Huntington Central Park with long stretches along the Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Beach Bike Trail.

Miles 1–2: Huntington Beach Pier & Main Street
Start on Pacific Coast Highway between the ocean and the Hilton Waterfront Beach Hotel. Running north, the Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street are less than a mile away.

Miles 2–9: Huntington Central Park
Just past the second-mile marker, at the first retro surf band station, turn inland on Seapoint and head for Huntington Central Park. On this stretch, you will encounter the course’s only incline, between miles 3 and 4. You'll then head down Seapoint back toward the ocean. Enjoy the ocean view all the way down to PCH.

Miles 9–15: Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Just past mile nine, take a right on PCH and absorb the energy from the ocean! Breathe in the fresh sea air as you continue north on the highway. The Bolsa Chica Reserve wetlands roll out to the right.

Miles 16–25: Beachfront Running Path
Starting on mile sixteen, the course leaves Pacific Coast Highway and continues on a beachfront running path paved right over the sand. Run all the way back to the pier, where a crowd of spectators will be cheering from above.

The Last Mile: A Spectacular Finish
After turning at the pier, work your way up through the lifeguard station back to Pacific Coast Highway. As you come on to the highway, you will be less than a mile from the finish line. It’s a straight shot from there, and the finish line banner is just ahead. Spectators line the highway to cheer you to the finish line.

February Other Marathons in February Other Marathons in California Marathons near Huntington Beach, CA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, February 7, 2027
2026: Sunday, February 1, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 58°F (14°C)
Average High: 67°F (19°C)
Average Low: 49° F (9°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.15
Course Score: 99.15

Race Size

2026: 1,963 Finishers
2025: 1,573 Finishers
2024: 1,540 Finishers
2023: 1,266 Finishers
2022: 955 Finishers
2021: 1,084 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 5.7%
2025: 5.8%
2024: 8.4%
2023: 7.6%
2022: 11.5%
2021: 5.2%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 14 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 69°F  (21°C)
Low: 52°F  (11°C)

Race Start Conditions

53°F  (12°C)
Humidity: 71%

Clear
ENE 3 mph

PR Score

98.45

Course Score

99.15






Surf City Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Surf City Marathon was the 58th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 51st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 5.7% of Surf City Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 5.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Surf City Marathon ranked 249th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 120th so far in 2026. In California, it ranked 18th in 2025 and 8th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Surf City Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Surf City Marathon has a Course Score of 99.15, ranking it as the 186th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 15th fastest marathon course in California.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Surf City Marathon a PR Score of 99.15. The PR Score ranks the Surf City Marathon as the 134th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 10th best marathon for a PR in California.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Surf City Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and California for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Surf City Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed186th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 15th fastest marathon course in California
Top 41% Nationally#15 of 34 in California
PR Potential134th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 10th best marathon for a PR in California
Top 30% Nationally#10 of 34 in California
Boston Qualifier Rate249th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 18th highest BQ percentage in California
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 52% Nationally#18 of 34 in California
Race Size58th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 9th largest marathon in California
Based on 2025 results
Top 10% Nationally#9 of 49 in California

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 87 feet (26m)
Min Elevation: 2 feet (0m)

Elevation Gain: 371 feet (113m)
Elevation Loss: 362 feet (110m)


Surf

Course updated 05/17/2025




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Race Reviews


4.6
Based on 12 reviews
Write Your Own Review

The views, the support, the crowd: all 10/10

Full Review:

I absolutely loved running the surf city marathon. The vibes were incredible, the on course race support was perfect, and you cannot complain about the views of the PCH. Such a great race!
Reviewed by BB About 2025

Superior communication!

Full Review:

This year the communication to runners was superior!!! All the information was sent several times! Can I ask one question? Do 1st Place runners in 5K age groups get a special medal? If so how do I access it? I placed 1st in F 65-69

Race Tips:

Everything was perfect!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

You provided all that was needed.
Reviewed by Liz Thor About 2023

A great local marathon

Full Review:

An honest marathon! Course is almost entirely flat, great crowd support, and moderate temperatures. In my opinion, the hills at miles 3.5 and 8 are not too bad because you're still full of energy—the slight hill at mile 24 (you barely see it on the elevation chart) is the real soul-crusher.

I wish there was more water stations in the last half of the marathon (there are something like 10 water stations in the first half and 6 in the last half), because that's when the sun is out and beating down on you.

Note: I placed within the top 10 so that may affect my experience with / opinion of the race and course.

Race Tips:

I would recommend carrying your own gels since there are only two gel stations.

If you plan on running sub-3:00, then expect it to be a mostly solo effort since this isn't a fast-enough race where there are enough runners to form packs at the quicker paces.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed at the Hilton right next to the start/finish line which was incredibly convenient. They even agreed to give me a late checkout because I told them I was lying in bed and too tired to move after the marathon!
Reviewed by J About 2021

Good race, BUT...

Full Review:

OVERVIEW: A good, fun atmosphere along the ocean and finishing with a view of HB's famous pier. However, if you're looking to BQ, I'd advise to think twice. The course is nice/flat but it can run slow due to winds, unpredictable weather (rain or humidity) and limited/zero crowd support.

There's a reason this is hosted in HB's "shoulder season": you never know the conditions. It could be 60s and mild, 80+ and sunny/humid, or a driving rain/wind storm. If spectators are your thing, this race is sparse at best (once you turn south on the PCH, get used to running alone!). Despite their efforts to streamline half and marathon runners, the final 1/2 mile is still a mess.

EXPO: clear flow and well organized to efficiently receive bib (also, a well-designed shirt + bag). Vendors were good-ish. On a warm day, this could be a quality gathering among runners (outdoor seating, carousel-like atmosphere with food/beer trucks, etc). Unfortunately, 2019 was a cold, rainy and windy day.

AID/SUPPORT: This is the greatest area of disappointment. I was hurt badly (stress fracture) at mile 23. Limped for support back to finish and didn't find a single aid worker along the way (struggled to find one once across the finish). The first aid tent is 1/4 mile + past the finish line and they have no organized way to get injured runners out of the area (minus ambulance, if you're in serious trouble).

Race Tips:

WIND: consider that you're running along the ocean and could/likely will face significant wind. The 2019 route faced a 15+ MPH wind from the south/west, notably for the final 5+ miles along the beach

MILE MARKERS: the distance should be reviewed. Most runners on Strava (including me) ran 26.4 miles and many discussed that their times reflected this increase.

TOPOGRAPHY: Course truly is flat minus two hills at about miles 3-4 and again around 8-9. These are minor hills, notably if you're training on any conditions with inclines. There are very light rollers along the PCH and beach path, but no more than 15-20 feet.

ROAD COURSE: the PCH is a very hard highway and there's NO shade on this course. Consider this if you're running it slower and could be impacted by the sun at 11a or later (it's a 6:30a start, which is right around sunrise)

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Kimpton Hotel - which is about 1/4 mile from the start - offers a great venue to gather with other runners, a wine hour at 5p, activity tables (Foosball, outdoor chess, etc) and a living-room style lobby. Restaurant and bar are also fantastic

Fly into SNA (John Wayne Airport) instead of LAX. It's about a $20 Uber ride and if you're staying near the beach/start, that's the end of your transportation.

CVS is right along PCH near the hotels (6th Ave) and the start line.
Reviewed by JPF About 2019

I would do it again - but not the best

Full Review:

This was my first marathon and I didn't know the course. Had I known it, I would probably thought twice. We started running in the rain, which was OK and then gusts of winds up to 15 MPH - OK....the weather was bad big deal. Then there was minimal crowd involvement. Like hardly anyone. Then the water and aide stands were early on ok but later in the race (miles 18 to 26) shut down or bottles were simply left of water on a table. I liked the Jet Blue Long Beach marathon a lot better. Also it is a lot of monotony. Up and down PCH - by the time I had run the same stretch of road for the 4th time I was done.

Race Tips:

The monotony of the back 13 is worth saving your energy.
Reviewed by HJS About 2019

Full Review:

Overall a great race. Huntington Beach is a nice place to visit. Expo and race start were in the same place, right on the beach. After the race, they gave out ice that they strapped onto your leg, which I thought was great. Appreciated the pace groups. Loved the cheering kids throughout some of the miles in the first half! They were super cute and energetic. Did not like how monotonous the second half of the course was.

Race Tips:

Save more energy than usual for the second half of the race- at least for me, I think the monotony of the up-and-backs on PCH made it much more difficult. I think it was a little cooler than average this year (~high 50s) and cloudy, but it was still too warm for me. With temperatures closer to average and sun, I'd be worried. Overall the course is very flat with a few small hills, with all inclines ending before the second half of the race from what I can remember. Race began at 6:30, but I would prefer an earlier start time because of the risk that it might be a warm day.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There are hotels within walking distance to the start line and expo. I didn't feel like I needed to arrive that early, but there were lines for the restrooms.
Reviewed by Jenny About 2017

Full Review:

What a great race!!! Awesome scenery, easy course, best finishing medal there is. What else could you ask for???

Race Tips:

It can be hot in early February so be prepared. No shade.
Reviewed by di About 2016

Full Review:

Beautiful beach area, awesome weather, great surf board medals. Legacy status after 3 consecutive years running.

Race Tips:

Not a PR course. The out and back on the full is beautiful, but can get a little warm. You more than likely will have to dodge a few bicycles and surfers with their boards.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Park in one of the beach lots and take the shuttle.
Reviewed by LS About 2016

Full Review:

Running along the Southern California coast in February, beautiful weather, beautiful scenery.
Reviewed by MD About 2015

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2015

Full Review:

Overall vibe, the people, the organization of the event overall.

Race Tips:

Expect an awesome day! Happiest race overall!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Plan your pick up place w your person before the race ends because most years I can't use my cell after the race as so many people are on cells. :)
Reviewed by Jen E. About 2015

Full Review:

Pre-Race expo was laid out nicely. I didn't wait in line; but at times, it seemed the line may have been a little long, but moved fast (based on what I could see from my Hotel room)! Restaurants are all pretty close by.

Race itself was good, temperature was nice, I wore a long sleeve / capris. When the sun came out around mile 20, it was warm, but at that point, everything is tough! Wind was bearable, though it does pickup as a headwind the last 5 miles or so. I enjoyed the course because it was easy to split up in to 4 - 5 mile segments.

Water stations / Volunteers were excellent. I never had a problem getting what I needed. My only complaint on the course was not enough Port-o-potties. Distance b/n was too far. I saw quite a few people sprinting across the road and jumping the sand dunes to relieve themselves (including one of the top ladies). Felt bad about that.

Course is flat, except for a couple minor hills the first 5 or 7 miles. Nothing unbearable. Not a lot of crowd support until the end. And when running along the ocean, you may have to dodge a tourist or 2, but they mostly move out of the way.

Race Tips:

If you are trying to BQ, as I was, the pacers were excellent. I seem to think they were aware of the wind on the back 5. So they paced accordingly, not out of control.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I was from out of town, so I recommend staying at the Marriott or Hilton nearby the race start. Spend a day or 2 being a tourist - heading to Laguna, etc. Restaurants were all affordable, good food, no waiting.
Reviewed by SA About 2014