Overview
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon draws approximately 1,750 finishers each April on a point-to-point road in Ventura, United States. Southern California's premier spring Boston qualifier — a distinct April event from the winter Ventura Marathon, with a spectator-friendly Ojai loop and roughly 700 feet of net descent. The April point-to-point route loops East Ojai at the start, passes Meiners Oaks countryside, the Ventura River basin, the paved Ventura River bike path, downtown Ventura, and a final mile along the Pacific. It is a separate spring race from the February Ventura Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/united-states/ventura-marathon), which uses a shorter Ojai start and the Ojai–Ventura bike path without the opening loop. The route is net downhill overall.
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon 2027 race day
The next Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 4 April 2027 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 180 m of climbing on a net downhill then mostly flat layout.
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon course route
Starts in downtown Ojai with a six-mile East Ojai loop, then continues through Meiners Oaks and finishes on the Ventura beachfront near the pier. The April point-to-point route loops East Ojai at the start, passes Meiners Oaks countryside, the Ventura River basin, the paved Ventura River bike path, downtown Ventura, and a final mile along the Pacific. It is a separate spring race from the February Ventura Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/united-states/ventura-marathon), which uses a shorter Ojai start and the Ojai–Ventura bike path without the opening loop. Moderate terrain throughout. The net descent rewards aggressive pacing but punishes the quads late.
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon elevation profile
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon course is net downhill then mostly flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 180 metres of climbing and 220 metres of descent, with a net descent of 40 metres from start to finish.
Entry requirements
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon sells out months in advance through open registration at mountains2beachmarathon.com via RunSignup, with entries for the April race typically opening the previous August. There is no lottery, but the net-downhill Boston-qualifier profile drives intense first-come demand and marathon places often disappear within days. International runners use the same RunSignup portal; no qualifying time is required for the mass field.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon a Boston Qualifier?
- The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon holds a certified 42.195 km course that can be used for Boston Marathon qualifying times, subject to current Boston Athletic Association standards and the race's USATF (or equivalent) certification status in the registration year.
- What is the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon elevation profile?
- The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon has 180 metres of total climbing and 220 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is net downhill then mostly flat, with 40 metres of net descent from start to finish.
- How long is the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon?
- The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Point-to-point road starting in downtown Ojai with a six-mile East Ojai loop, then continues through Meiners Oaks and finishes on the Ventura beachfront near the pier.
- What time does the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon start?
- The 2027 Mountains 2 Beach Marathon starts at 7:00 am local time on Sunday, 4 April 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on mountains2beachmarathon.com/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- Where does the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon start and finish?
- Starts in downtown Ojai with a six-mile East Ojai loop, then continues through Meiners Oaks and finishes on the Ventura beachfront near the pier. Updated course maps are published at https://mountains2beachmarathon.com/ each year.
- When is the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon and how do I register?
- Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is typically held in April. Registration opens through https://mountains2beachmarathon.com/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
- Is the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon course flat?
- The course includes net downhill then mostly flat. Study the official course profile at https://mountains2beachmarathon.com/ before setting pace targets.
- What landmarks does the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon pass?
- Runners see the East Ojai loop, Meiners Oaks, the Ventura River basin, the bike path into downtown Ventura, and the beachfront finish near the pier.
- What weather should runners expect at Mountains 2 Beach Marathon?
- Usually cool at the start inland and mild near the coast with marine air later in the race.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
