Next race
Saturday, 1 May 2027
5:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
The HOAG OC Marathon draws approximately 2,800 finishers each May along Orange County's Pacific coastline from Newport Beach to Costa Mesa. The course passes the Balboa Peninsula, Corona del Mar cliffs, and the Pacific Coast Highway with ocean views throughout. May's mild Southern California spring and flat coastal roads make it one of the West Coast's most scenic destination marathons.
HOAG OC Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 2,800 finishers
Course & terrain
The HOAG OC Marathon is a scenic coastal road that starts in Newport Beach and finishes in Costa Mesa or the OC Fairgrounds area. The coastal route follows Pacific Coast Highway past Corona del Mar, Balboa Island, and the Newport Beach pier. The flat profile keeps rhythm steady throughout, with only minor bridge ramps or short rises interrupting otherwise even pacing. Spectators gather along the waterfront, at the start-finish festival, and at organised cheer stations on the most scenic coastal stretches.
The HOAG OC Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 100 m gain — approx. 3 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
The HOAG OC Marathon uses open online registration at ocmarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time. Sign-up for the May race typically opens in spring and the full marathon can sell out given demand for the coastal Orange County course. Tiered pricing increases closer to race day, rewarding early registration.
Getting there
Santa Ana (SNA)
John Wayne Orange County International Airport
8 km / 5 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Newport Beach.
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Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
Which US marathons produce Boston qualifiers in practice — course data, typical BQ rates, and how to match a race to your qualifying window.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
