There’s no better place to flex your running skills than with a half marathon in Newport Beach. It’s beautiful, breezy, and best of all, there’s little elevation gain.

After a year hiatus, the OC Marathon is back in November and open for registration! If you’re still on the fence with whether or not this is the race for you, take a look at the course details and we bet we’ll see you on the starting line!

What to Know Before Mile 1

This event is a whole weekend affair, with packet pick-up on Friday, November 5th or Saturday, November 6th at the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo. You’ll get your race bib, D-tag timing chip, and t-shirt and you’ll sign a hard copy of the waiver. If you want to have these items shipped to you directly, there’s a $25 convenience fee. The 5K takes off on Saturday early evening and then later that night, those lucky half marathoners get a time change and an extra hour of sleep! Use that time change wisely, because the start time is still early! Chair racers begin at 5:58am and everyone else starts at 6:00am

Packet Pick-Up times: 

– Friday, November 5: 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m

– Saturday, November 6: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m

*NO SUNDAY MORNING PICK-UPS*

Race Times & Info:

The OC 5K

Saturday, Nov 6: 4:30 PM @ The OC Fair and Event Center, Costa Mesa, CA)

$45

The OC Half Marathon

Sunday, Nov 7: 6:00 AM  @ Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA 

Chair athletes will begin at 5:58 am

$120 

Both the OC 5K and Half Marathon

$160

Further Details: 

https://ocmarathon.com

Starting Line But Make It Fashion

You’ll begin the race right next to Fashion Island, a sprawling luxury outdoor mall. Wave at Nordstrom, wave at the beautiful City Hall complex, and don’t forget to wave to all your adoring fans as the race takes off in a sea of legs and bibs.

Miles 2-7 are Waterview Heaven

Just when the reality of the task at hand sinks in – BAM! – you’ll find yourself on the iconic PCH in the idyllic town of Corona del Mar. For this five mile stretch, you’ll weave through pristine beachside neighborhoods with the ocean coming in and out of view. Then, it’s just you and the waters of the Newport harbor, as you run past an overlook of the harbor entrance, the world-famous Wedge surf break, and then past the backside of Balboa Island. Running pace needs to be quicker than 16.5 min/mi, though, because local churchgoers need to access their building before church begins at 7:45!

Miles 7-10 are Full of Twists and Turns

Oh hello first incline of the run on – can you believe it? – the SEVENTH mile! How nice is that? Beach folk really know how to put on a race as laid back as they are. Be sure to keep your chin up during this one and only incline because you are now entering the bluffs at Castaway Park that happen to look out over – well – everything in Newport.

Saddleback Mountain in the distance, fingers of the Newport Harbor, residential islands, a gorgeous nature preserve – they all stretch out before you on this vista. Then, the trail descends into the residential neighborhood of Dover Shores, a quiet, peaceful bit of Newport whose residents love to cheer on the runners! Then it’s back onto Irvine Ave, where you’ll run alongside the Back Bay Nature Preserve. Are you clocking the variety of views on this run??

Miles 11-13 (plus .1 more!) End With a Bang

The final stretch of the run turns away from the waterscape views and into Newport’s neighboring town of Costa Mesa. You’ll run through yet another peaceful neighborhood towards the Orange County Fairgrounds, a large multi-plex that hosts farmers markets, a petting zoo, a summer fair, winter ice skating, and year round concerts. Keep your eye on the prize as you run over the freeway, past the local golf course, and into the fairground. Do that thing all runners do, where they straighten their posture and quicken their pace so the fans don’t see how much pain they’re actually in. And voila! 13.1 miles are done and now it’s time to celebrate!

Good News & Bad News

In truth, we don’t know what the afterparty will look like this year. Typically, there’s live music, free massages and drinks, and medal-clad happy faces. At least the latter part will still hold true. And hey! Isn’t that why we crazy runners do what we do? And just think: that runner’s high will be all the more invigorating after a morning race alongside some of the most beautiful stretches of coast in California. 

Watch the OC Half Marathon Flyover and see for yourself why this race is well worth the sweat!

So then where to celebrate your victory? Check out our complete list of NEWPORT BEACH HAPPY HOURS that serve ice cold drinks with top-notch ambiance fit for a runner!

All good runners know that R&R is key for performing your best!  Check out the top vacation homes in Newport Beach that come fully stocked so you can focus on race day.

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