Santa Rosa Marathon

Santa RosaCaliforniaUnited States

Next race

Sunday, 1 August 2027

7:00 am start

Distance

42.195 km / 26.2 mi

Wine-country road

Elevation

Rolling · 100 m gain

100 m climbing

Race profile

Overview

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. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Santa Rosa Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.

Typical participants: Approximately 1,600 finishers

Weather: Warm summer
20–23°C · humidity 55–70%
Marathon weather guide →

Course & terrain

Santa Rosa Marathon course

Course route details and elevation profile for race-week planning.

Starts and finishes at the Sonoma County fairgrounds district. The route passes vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Very flat throughout.

Registration

Santa Rosa Marathon entry requirements

The Santa Rosa Marathon uses open online registration at santarosamarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time required. Sign-up for the August 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.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Santa Rosa Marathon a Boston Qualifier?: The Santa Rosa Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. The Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa Marathon elevation profile?: The Santa Rosa Marathon has 100 metres of total climbing and 95 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is rolling, with 5 metres of net climb from start to finish.
How long is the Santa Rosa Marathon?: The Santa Rosa Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Wine-country road starting and finishing at the Sonoma County fairgrounds district.
What time does the Santa Rosa Marathon start?: The 2027 Santa Rosa Marathon starts at 7:00 am local time on Sunday, 1 August 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
Where does the Santa Rosa Marathon start and finish?: Starts and finishes at the Sonoma County fairgrounds district. Updated each year.
When is the Santa Rosa Marathon and how do I register?: Santa Rosa Marathon is typically held in August. Registration opens may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Is the Santa Rosa Marathon course flat?: Yes. Santa Rosa Marathon is known for a largely flat profile with only minor undulations, making it popular with runners chasing steady pacing.
What landmarks does the Santa Rosa Marathon pass?: The route passes vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek.
What weather should runners expect at Santa Rosa Marathon?: Typically cool at dawn with dry air, then warming steadily into a sunny wine-country morning.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.

Close to this race

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to Santa Rosa.

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Next race: Friday, 5 March 2027

San FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States· 78 km away

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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, 31 July 2027

OaklandCaliforniaUnited States· 81 km away

Oakland Marathon

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. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Sunday, 21 March 2027

SacramentoCaliforniaUnited States· 107 km away

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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

Big SurCaliforniaUnited States· 254 km away

Big Sur International Marathon

The Big Sur International Marathon is widely regarded as America's most beautiful marathon, drawing about 4,500 runners each April on a point-to-point along California's Highway 1. The course passes the iconic Bixby Bridge at mile 13, McWay Falls viewpoints, and the rugged Big Sur coastline. It is not a personal-best course — the hills and cliffside scenery are the reward.

Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027

VenturaCaliforniaUnited States· 555 km away

Mountains 2 Beach Marathon

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/ventura-marathon), which uses a shorter Ojai start and the Ojai–Ventura bike path without the opening loop. The route is net downhill overall.

Next race: Friday, 16 April 2027

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Planning guides

Related guides

Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.

Santa Rosa Marathon

Overview

Santa Rosa Marathon course

Santa Rosa Marathon entry requirements

Santa Rosa Marathon travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa Marathon links

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