Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningUTMB Index Races
Pacific Trails California by UTMB (HOKA)
Santa Ynez, United States
November 14, 2026 to November 15, 2026Date confirmed
51 km25 km
City RunNature & Off-Road+4
USRegional Running Calendar
Running events in California
107 verified events (36 confirmed dates) and 357 races in California with course maps and elevation profiles.
Events10736 confirmed dates
Competitions357Races & courses
Distances1.6 - 161 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+5,550 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: NPS · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
California International Marathon
Sacramento, United States
December 6, 2026Date confirmed
42.2 km
City RunCulture & History
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
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: NPS · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Valencia Trail Race
Valencia, United States
March 20, 2027Date confirmed
50 km21 km10 km
Nature & Off-RoadMountain
Photo: Fukumoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad CyclingGFNY World Series
GFNY Ventura
Ventura, United States
April 11, 2027Date confirmed
132 km79 km
Seaside & CoastNature & Off-Road+1
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
November 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 - Nov 15, 2026 | Pacific Trails California by UTMB (HOKA) | Santa Ynez, California, US | Trail Running | 51 km25 km |
December 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2026 | California International Marathon | Sacramento, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km |
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 |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Valencia Trail Race | Valencia, California, US | Trail Running | 50 km21 km10 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 2027 | GFNY Ventura | Ventura, California, US | Road Cycling | 132 km79 km |
| Apr 16, 2027 - Apr 18, 2027 | Sea Otter Classic | Monterey, California, US | Gravel BikingMountain Biking | 144.84 km112.65 km96.56 km48.28 km |
| Apr 18, 2027 | GFNY Walnut Creek | Concord, California, US | Road Cycling | 103 km63 km |
| Apr 23, 2027 - Apr 24, 2027 | Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB | Auburn, California, US | Trail Running | 161 km100 km50 km25 km |
| Apr 25, 2027 | Big Sur Marathon | Big Sur, California, US | Road Running | 42.2 km33.8 km17.7 km12 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
The region of California (North America, United States) is represented in the RunningCompass catalog with 107 public events and 357 individual races, including 36 events with confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season. Core disciplines include Road Running, Trail Running, and Road Cycling. Key host locations include Santa Ynez, Sacramento, Carlsbad, and Huntington Beach. Notable events in the selection include Pacific Trails California by UTMB (HOKA), California International Marathon, and Carlsbad Marathon.
Race distances span from 1.6 km to 161 km, reaching up to +5,550 m of elevation gain on the most demanding courses. Every race listed for California includes an interactive MapLibre course map powered by OpenStreetMap, a high-resolution SVG elevation profile with gradient telemetry, and a direct GPX track download.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many running events and races take place in California?
RunningCompass currently lists 107 verified events with 357 individual races in California. A total of 36 events have confirmed upcoming dates, while additional annual editions include full course and distance specifications. Notable events in the selection include Pacific Trails California by UTMB (HOKA), California International Marathon, and Carlsbad Marathon.
What disciplines and race distances are offered in California?
Events in California focus on Road Running, Trail Running, and Road Cycling. Course distances range from 1.6 km entry-level races up to 161 km endurance challenges. Primary host cities and towns include Santa Ynez, Sacramento, Carlsbad, and Huntington Beach.
What is the course profile, terrain, and elevation gain like in California?
The most selective courses in California climb up to +5,550 m of positive elevation gain. Each event page provides exact altitude range, ascent (+m), descent (-m), average and maximum gradient, an interactive course map, and a downloadable GPX file.
How can I find dates and register for running events in California?
The monthly race calendar on this page groups all confirmed dates chronologically alongside annual events awaiting their next date announcement. Use the discipline, distance, and month links or switch to the interactive map view (/en/events?view=map) to inspect individual event profiles and official organizer registration links.