Oakland, California, United States
The Oakland Marathon draws approximately 1,700 finishers each March on an urban road in Oakland, United States. Its course showcases Oakland's different districts more fully than most Bay Area races do. The route passes Lake Merritt, Jack London Square, and eclectic East Bay neighborhoods with bay-side views. Lake Merritt, Jack London Square, and eclectic East Bay neighborhoods roll with bay-side views across a course that showcases Oakland's districts.
Oakland Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Oakland Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 7 March 2027 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.
Starts and finishes in downtown Oakland. The route passes Lake Merritt, Jack London Square, and eclectic East Bay neighborhoods with bay-side views. Lake Merritt loops and neighborhood climbs add work in the middle miles, with Jack London Square crowds cheering the waterfront finish.
The Oakland Marathon course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
The Oakland Marathon uses open online registration at oaklandmarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time required. Sign-up for the March race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. Tiered pricing increases closer to race day, and charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Oakland.
The San Francisco Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in San Francisco, United States. The course starts and finishes along the Embarcadero. The route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, passes the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and the Haight. Hilly throughout, with the steepest climbs in the Presidio and through Golden Gate Park.
Next race: Saturday, 25 July 2026
The Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Marathon attracts approximately 2,200 finishers each October through the capital of Silicon Valley. The course passes the SAP Center, Santana Row, and the Guadalupe River park with views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. October's mild Bay Area autumn and flat South Bay terrain make it Northern California's largest marathon.
Next race: Saturday, 24 October 2026
The Santa Rosa Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each August on a wine-country road in Santa Rosa, United States. Its summer date works because the race begins early before Sonoma County heat builds. The route passes vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek. Vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek make August's early-start Sonoma County race workable before summer heat builds.
Next race: Sunday, 2 August 2026
The Napa Valley Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each March on a point-to-point road in Calistoga, United States. It is one of the most famous wine-country marathons in the world and stays intentionally low-key despite strong demand. The course passes vineyards, winery estates, and quiet Silverado Trail miles backed by low hills. Vineyards, winery estates, and quiet Silverado Trail miles backed by low hills make March's point-to-point race one of the world's most famous wine-country marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027
The Sacramento Marathon — universally known as the California International Marathon (CIM) — draws approximately 4,000 finishers each December on a fast point-to-point road from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. The net-downhill course drops roughly 103 metres through the Sierra Nevada foothills before finishing on Capitol Mall in front of the California State Capitol. Cool early-December weather and a USATF-certified profile make it one of the most reliable Boston-qualifier races in the western United States.
Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026
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