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
USRunning Territory & Spot
Running Races in Southern California
38 verified events (27 confirmed dates) and 158 races in Southern California with course maps and elevation profiles.
Events3827 confirmed dates
Competitions158Races & courses
Distances1 - 162 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+4,850 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: 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: 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
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Santa Clarita Trail Race
Santa Clarita, United States
May 1, 2027Date confirmed
28 km21 km10 km5 km
Nature & Off-RoadForest+1
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
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 |
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 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 |
May 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2027 | Santa Clarita Trail Race | Santa Clarita, California, US | Trail Running | 28 km21 km10 km5 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 |
October 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 8, 2027 - Oct 9, 2027 | Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB | Big Bear Lake, California, US | Trail Running | 162 km99 km48.4 km19.5 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 | Tour of Big Bear | Big Bear Lake, California, US | Road CyclingGravel Biking | 160.93 km112.65 km80.47 km50 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 running territory of Southern California (United States, California) is represented in the RunningCompass catalog with 38 public events and 158 individual races, including 27 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, Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, and Los Angeles. Notable events in the selection include Pacific Trails California by UTMB (HOKA), Carlsbad Marathon, and Surf City Marathon.
Race distances span from 1 km to 162 km, reaching up to +4,850 m of elevation gain on the most demanding courses. Every race listed for Southern 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 Southern California?
RunningCompass currently lists 38 verified events with 158 individual races in Southern California. A total of 27 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), Carlsbad Marathon, and Surf City Marathon.
What disciplines and race distances are offered in Southern California?
Events in Southern California focus on Road Running, Trail Running, and Road Cycling. Course distances range from 1 km entry-level races up to 162 km endurance challenges. Primary host cities and towns include Santa Ynez, Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, and Los Angeles.
What is the course profile, terrain, and elevation gain like in Southern California?
The most selective courses in Southern California climb up to +4,850 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 Southern 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.