West · CA
Running Races in California
California currently has 723 upcoming races with a confirmed date listed in RaceRove. San Diego, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Sacramento have the largest concentration of events.
By distance, that includes 529 5Ks, 348 10Ks, 209 half marathons and 32 marathons. Many events offer more than one distance, so a race can appear in more than one of those counts.
October (179), November (145) and December (81) are the busiest months on the calendar right now. Another 290 annual races are waiting for next year's date to be announced.
- Upcoming, date confirmed
- 723
- Active listings
- 1,013
- Cities with races
- 332
Browse California races by distance
Upcoming races in California
The next 60 of 723 with a confirmed date, soonest first.
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Scena Performance Series PassesBerkeley, CAScena SlamMonsters of the East BayRidge Trail RompPinch to Grown and Inch
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Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & 5 MileBig Sur, CA5 Mile - Adult5 Mile - YouthHalf Marathon - AdultHalf Marathon - Youth +2 more
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Donor Network West Foundation Run/WalkFresno, CAFresno 5K (Ages 14 & Under) | Sept. 26thFresno 5K (Ages 15+) | Sept. 26th
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HERS 27th Annual Breast Cancer Walk/Run Fundraiser and Community ExpoFremont, CA10K Run5K Run5K WalkVirtual Run or Walk +3 more
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Little Wharf 3-MilerCapitola, CALittle Wharf 3-Miler (17 & Under)Little Wharf 3-Miler (Premium)Little Wharf 3-Miler (Standard)Virtual Little Wharf
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Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Sunset RunLos Angeles, CA10K5KDouble Header ChallengeKids Fun Run +2 more
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Rotary Club of Los Gatos Great RaceLos Gatos, CAGreat Race 1 Mile Fun RunGreat Race 2 Mile 'Great Half'Great Race 4 Mile CourseGreat Race Kids under 12 Price
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Take Me to Your Pizza : Alien Dash 5K. 10K. Half MarathonLong Beach, CAHalf Marathon5K10K1 Miles +1 more
Dates come from each race's own listing. Always confirm on the organiser's site before you book travel.
Largest races in California
By estimated field size across all distances at the event.
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Run to Feed the HungrySacramento, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmed5K10K ~40,000 runners
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Bay to BreakersSan Francisco, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmed12K (also a 15K option) ~30,000 runners
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Los Angeles MarathonLos Angeles, CA Usually held in March · date not confirmedMarathonHalf ~27,000 runners
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Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey TrotSan Jose, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmed5K10KKids Fun Run ~25,000 runners
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Hoag OC Marathon Running FestivalCosta Mesa, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5KCombos ~25,000 runners
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San Francisco MarathonSan Francisco, CA Usually held in July · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5K ~20,000 runners
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Surf City MarathonHuntington Beach, CA Usually held in February · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5K ~20,000 runners
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The Giant Race (San Francisco Giants)San Francisco, CA Usually held in August · date not confirmedHalf Marathon10K5KKids Race ~20,000 runners
When races happen in California
- January
- 54 upcoming races
- February
- 55 upcoming races
- March
- 41 upcoming races
- April
- 47 upcoming races
- May
- 36 upcoming races
- June
- 20 upcoming races
- July
- 15 upcoming races
- August
- 1 upcoming race
- September
- 49 upcoming races
- October
- 179 upcoming races
- November
- 145 upcoming races
- December
- 81 upcoming races
California cities with the most races
- San Diego
- 51 upcoming races
- Long Beach
- 48 upcoming races
- Los Angeles
- 42 upcoming races
- Sacramento
- 26 upcoming races
- Bakersfield
- 20 upcoming races
- Fresno
- 18 upcoming races
- San Francisco
- 16 upcoming races
- Huntington Beach
- 12 upcoming races
Annual events awaiting their next date
These races are held every year, but the next date isn't in the listing yet. The month shown is when each is usually held.
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Run to Feed the HungrySacramento, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmed5K10K ~40,000 runners
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Bay to BreakersSan Francisco, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmed12K (also a 15K option) ~30,000 runners
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Los Angeles MarathonLos Angeles, CA Usually held in March · date not confirmedMarathonHalf ~27,000 runners
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Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey TrotSan Jose, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmed5K10KKids Fun Run ~25,000 runners
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Hoag OC Marathon Running FestivalCosta Mesa, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5KCombos ~25,000 runners
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San Francisco MarathonSan Francisco, CA Usually held in July · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5K ~20,000 runners
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Surf City MarathonHuntington Beach, CA Usually held in February · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5K ~20,000 runners
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The Giant Race (San Francisco Giants)San Francisco, CA Usually held in August · date not confirmedHalf Marathon10K5KKids Race ~20,000 runners
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Wharf to Wharf RaceSanta Cruz, CA Usually held in July · date not confirmed6 miles (plus Little Wharf 3-Miler) ~16,000 runners
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SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA Usually held in January · date not confirmed15K10K5K ~12,000 runners
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Dana Point Turkey TrotDana Point, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmed5K10K15K ComboKids 1-Mile ~11,000 runners
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2XU Long Beach MarathonLong Beach, CA Usually held in October · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5KBike Tour +1 more ~10,000 runners
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California International MarathonSacramento, CA Usually held in December · date not confirmedMarathon ~10,000 runners
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Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5KPasadena, CA Usually held in January · date not confirmedHalf5KKids Run ~10,000 runners
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Rock 'n' Roll San DiegoSan Diego, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5K ~9,000 runners
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SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run San DiegoSan Diego, CA Usually held in March · date not confirmed15K10K5K ~9,000 runners
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Carlsbad 5000Carlsbad, CA Usually held in April · date not confirmed5K (multiple age/ability waves) ~8,000 runners
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Across the Bay 12KSan Francisco, CA Usually held in July · date not confirmed12K5K415K (relay/challenge) ~7,500 runners
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Berkeley Half MarathonBerkeley, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmedHalf Marathon10K5KFamily 1K ~7,500 runners
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Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5KCarlsbad, CA Usually held in January · date not confirmedMarathonHalf Marathon5KDouble Down Challenge (5K + Half) ~7,000 runners
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Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon & Rosé 5KNapa, CA Usually held in July · date not confirmedHalf Marathon5K ~6,800 runners
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Monterey Bay Half MarathonMonterey, CA Usually held in November · date not confirmedHalf Marathon5K (plus 3K/5K in Pacific Grove on Saturday) ~6,300 runners
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America's Finest City Half Marathon & 5KSan Diego, CA Usually held in August · date not confirmedHalf Marathon5K ~6,000 runners
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La Jolla Half Marathon & La Jolla Shores 5KDel Mar, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmedHalf Marathon10K5K ~6,000 runners
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Napa Valley MarathonNapa, CA Usually held in March · date not confirmedMarathonHalf5K ~6,000 runners
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Big Sur International MarathonBig Sur, CA Usually held in April · date not confirmedMarathon ~4,500 runners
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Santa Monica-Venice Christmas RunSanta Monica, CA Usually held in December · date not confirmed10K5K ~4,000 runners
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Santa Rosa MarathonSanta Rosa, CA Usually held in August · date not confirmedMarathonHalf Marathon10K5K ~4,000 runners
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San Jose Half Marathon & 8K (Race to the Row)San Jose, CA Usually held in May · date not confirmedHalf Marathon8KMile ~3,000 runners
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Village Runner 4th of July 5KRedondo Beach, CA Usually held in July · date not confirmed5K10KFirecracker DashCommunity Walk ~3,000 runners
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Mountains 2 Beach MarathonVentura, CA Usually held in April · date not confirmedMarathonHalf Marathon ~2,500 runners
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Griffith Park Resolution RunLos Angeles, CA Usually held in January · date not confirmedHalf Marathon12K5K ~1,500 runners
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Headlands Endurance RunsSausalito, CA Usually held in August · date not confirmedMarathon50K50 Mile100 Mile ~700 runners
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Operation Jack Marathon, Half Marathon & 5KManhattan Beach, CA Usually held in December · date not confirmedMarathonHalf Marathon5K10K ~600 runners
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40th Golden Gate Park XC OpenSan Francisco, CA Usually held in September · next date not announced4 Miles
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5K Entry Hot Dog Lemonade with or without PetLos Angeles, CA Usually held in August · next date not announced5K
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9/11 Heroes Run - San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CA Usually held in September · next date not announced5K1 Miles
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A Snail's Pace x ASICS Sunset MileFullerton, CA Usually held in September · next date not announced1 Miles
Races in nearby states
Guides from the RaceRove blog
- 8 min read How to Choose the Best Half Marathon for a PR, Racecation or 50-State Challenge The best half marathon depends on what you want from it. How to choose a course for a personal record, a race worth travelling for, or an efficient stop on a 50-state challenge.
- 7 min read How to Find a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon Near You A practical way to find running races near you: pick a distance, decide how far you'll travel, read the listing properly and confirm the details before you register.
- 9 min read How to Run a Race in All 50 States How to plan a 50-state running challenge: set your own rules, group states into trips, build a calendar around the seasons, budget for it and keep track of every finish.
- Blog All guides Planning advice for finding, choosing and travelling to races.
Running Races in California: common questions
- How many races are there in California?
- RaceRove currently lists 723 upcoming races in California with a confirmed date, plus 290 annual events whose next date hasn't been announced yet.
- Which California cities have the most races?
- By upcoming events listed in RaceRove: San Diego (51), Long Beach (48), Los Angeles (42), Sacramento (26) and Bakersfield (20).
- When is race season in California?
- Of the upcoming races listed, the busiest months are October (179), November (145) and December (81).
- What is the biggest race in California?
- By estimated field size, the largest race listed in California is the Run to Feed the Hungry, with about 40,000 runners across all of its distances.
Search every race in California
Filter by month, course profile and field size, save races to a shortlist and compare them side by side in the interactive search.