Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Carlsbad Marathon
Carlsbad, United States
January 17, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km5 km
Seaside & CoastCity Run
USRoad Running · 5K Road Races · California · 35 Events · 160 Races
5K Road Races in California
35 verified events with 160 individual races (26 confirmed dates) in California complete with route maps and elevation profiles.
Events3526 confirmed dates
Competitions160Races & courses
Distances1 - 113.1 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+1,020 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Surf City Marathon
Huntington Beach, United States
February 7, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km5 km1.61 km
Seaside & CoastCity Run
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningBoston Marathon Qualifier
Asics Los Angeles Marathon
Los Angeles, United States
March 6, 2027 to March 7, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km22.05 km5 km
Charity RunSeaside & Coast+4
Photo: Cjp24 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Napa Valley Marathon
Calistoga, United States
March 7, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km5 km
Nature & Off-RoadVineyards
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Big Sur Marathon
Big Sur, United States
April 25, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km33.8 km17.7 km12 km+1
Seaside & CoastNature & Off-Road+4
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Sugar Daddy Race-Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, United States
June 19, 2027Date confirmed
21.1 km10 km5 km
City RunFestive
Photo: Jonathan Beech · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco, United States
July 24, 2027 to July 25, 2027Date confirmed
84.3 km42.2 km21.1 km10 km+1
City RunSeaside & Coast+4
Photo: NPS · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Golden Gate Half Marathon
San Francisco, United States
November 7, 2027Date confirmed
21.1 km5 km
Seaside & CoastPublic Park+5
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
January 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17, 2027 | Carlsbad Marathon | Carlsbad, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km5 km |
February 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7, 2027 | Surf City Marathon | Huntington Beach, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km5 km1.61 km |
March 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 6, 2027 - Mar 7, 2027 | Asics Los Angeles Marathon | Los Angeles, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km22.05 km5 km |
| Mar 7, 2027 | Napa Valley Marathon | Calistoga, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km5 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 2027 | Big Sur Marathon | Big Sur, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km33.8 km17.7 km12 km |
June 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2027 | Sugar Daddy Race-Santa Clarita | Santa Clarita, California, US | Road Running | 21.1 km10 km5 km |
July 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2027 - Jul 25, 2027 | San Francisco Marathon | San Francisco, California, US | Road Running | 84.3 km42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
November 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2027 | Golden Gate Half Marathon | San Francisco, California, US | Road Running | 21.1 km5 km |
| Nov 13, 2027 - Nov 14, 2027 | Monterey Bay Half | Santa Cruz, California, US | Road Running | 26.1 km21.1 km5 km3 km |
Date to be announced
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date to be announced | Wildflower Triathlon | Bradley, California, US | TriathlonTrail Running | 113.14 km51.5 km25.5 km20 km |
| Date to be announced | Oakland Marathon | Oakland, California, US | Road RunningObstacle Course Racing | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km |
| Date to be announced | Marathon Mountains 2 Beach | Ventura, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
The 5K distance is both the most accessible entry point to road racing and a high-speed aerobic test for experienced runners. Measured asphalt and city courses ranging from fast 5K and 10K races to international half marathons, marathons, and 100K road ultras. In this 5K Road Races in California directory, RunningCompass curates 35 events comprising 160 individual races, including 26 events with confirmed upcoming dates.
Courses span distances ranging from 1 km to 113.1 km and elevation gains up to +1,020 m. Key host locations include Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, Calistoga. Notable events in this selection include Carlsbad Marathon, Surf City Marathon, Asics Los Angeles Marathon.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many events and races are listed under 5K Road Races in California?
This overview currently includes 35 verified events featuring 160 individual races. Of these, 26 events have confirmed upcoming dates on the calendar, while 9 events await next edition date confirmation from the organizer.
What race distances and elevation profiles are included in 5K Road Races in California?
Races in this selection span distances of 1 km to 113.1 km. The most demanding courses reach up to +1,020 m of positive elevation gain. Featured disciplines include Road Running, Triathlon, Trail Running.
Which host cities and flagship events stand out in 5K Road Races in California?
Top host locations include Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, Calistoga, Big Sur. Representative events in the catalog include Carlsbad Marathon, Surf City Marathon, Asics Los Angeles Marathon, Napa Valley Marathon. The 5K distance is both the most accessible entry point to road racing and a high-speed aerobic test for experienced runners.
How can I inspect route maps, elevation charts, and date filters for 5K Road Races in California?
Every event profile provides an interactive route map, a detailed elevation chart across all 160 races, and a GPX track download. You can also switch directly to the interactive map explorer to filter by date range and distance.