The OC Marathon is truly one of the most fun weekends of the year! There's so much community involvement, positive energy, and support throughout the entire weekend. Gary, the race director, is an amazing human being who puts so much time and effort into making this one of the best races in Southern California. I'm lucky enough to get to participate in both Kids Run the OC, an awesome one-mile running event for kids, and the OC Half Marathon myself. Whether you're just starting your running journey or you're an experienced runner, I highly recommend signing up. The weekend is filled with fun, encouragement, and beautiful courses through some of the best parts of Orange County. With options including the 5K, half marathon, and full marathon, there's truly something for everyone! read more

05.03.2026 I ran this event about 5 years ago. But this time I am a spectator cheering on our peers at mile 12 for a half marathon. I had such a pleasant time cheering on all the runners. There was alot of police presence directing traffic. I parked about 1 mile away from my meet up. This marathon is awesome! Lots of people with a great running scenery. Definitely a great run for all the participants. I recommend this marathon event. It ended at the OC Fair. Lots of restaurants nearby. Traffic is a given. Every marathon has it. Kudos to this OC run! As a runner and spectator it was definitely a memorable experience. Good crowd control and great ambiance. read more

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Beautiful course and probably one of my favorite races to do in SoCal! I've done the half and full marathon distances and gotta love the views. Running by the beach is always a vibe. Definitely recommend this race for any distance if you're looking to do a big one! Just be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting for the shuttles and come early so you're not late to your corral start time like I was. Will for sure be doing this race again in the future! read more

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4th time running this half marathon. This is probably one of the nicer local SoCal races, and it has tons of ocean views and scenery, with just enough hills to challenge you, but not kill you. This year had 10,000 runners for the half and I believe 3000 for the full. I recommend getting in early to beat the crowd. I showed up around 4am to find tons of cars already waiting to get into the fairgrounds parking lot. The nice thing is the organization of literally a hundred buses that transports the runners to the starting point in Newport - Fashion Island. From there, you have to run back to Costa Mesa. The after-course event is kinda cool but gets extra congested because of spectators/family adding to the crowd. They have post-run food and drinks (and alcohol) with tons of vendors with freebies. The entertainment is an 80s cover band called Flashback Heart Attack that is actually pretty good. Also, being a Legacy Runner (3 years in row) gives you access to a nicer bar area, and an extra shirt. I've learned the hard way that if you stay longer, the harder it is to drive out of the fairgrounds. Traffic can be a hot mess. I left immediately after the race this year, and escaped with ease. The expo for bib pickups on Saturday are cool for getting discounts with vendors, and other free goodies. The only issue these days is that they have kid race events in the morning that make the pick up times harder to get in and out. Also, you have to pay for parking just to attend the expo, then pay again for parking on the day of the event. I say get as much free stuff as you can to offset these parking fees. Anyway, whether you are doing this for the first time, or for fun, to challenge yourself, or for fitness, they have races for all levels of runners. read more

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Here's my referral code for 2026: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/CostaMesa/TheHoagOCMarathonRunningFestivalExpoRegistration Parking at the Fair Grounds is now up to $12 but there is an alternative if you don't mind some extra walking. My favorite moment on the course is running head-on right into your first view of the ocean. I've been running this half marathon over 10 years now and plan to keep it going. The incentives are a beautiful view of Newport's back bay and the stretch session/massage that's offered at the finish line festival. For Legacy runners, you get the perk of an OC Marathon branded product and access to the Legacy Lounge with an extra adult bev and pizza. To be considered "Legacy" just means 3 consecutive years of running half or full. For those looking for a shorter distance, a 5k and kids race take place the Saturday before. If you know nothing of this race, the Sunday half and full marathon involves being shuttled from the OC Fairgrounds to the start line at Fashion Island (shopping center). The less popular option is parking at Fashion Island and catching the shuttle after the race. By "shuttle", it's actually a fleet of school busses. UPS trucks take care of gear check by bib number. I don't know why there was a long line for retrieval only in my section. More annoying than that is the family members and friends that crowd around the runners exit chute. I wish they'd go wait somewhere else and not be in our way but it's like that in Long Beach too. read more

2025 OC Marathon is open for registration. We cannot wait to join the OC Marathon May 3 & 4 events. The OC Marathon office located in an unmarked business plaza, will open occasionally to the public (so sign-up for communication), to buy past merchandises. These items are also displayed annually at the festival booth in a box off the side. The OC Marathon office is small with narrow hallway packed with boxes and boxes of merchandise (and goodies) from prior year. read more

OC Marathon - Got socks...getting ready for 2025!!! - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The race and course was great! I didn't like that the half marathon overlaps with marathon on a small side walk. I wish the race had more signs or volunteers to help the faster half marathoners to not have to weave between the slower marathoners. Also parking was a nightmare to get out of the race multiple years in a row read more

OC half is my favorite local half but few logistical issues this year really detracted from the experience The traffic for the prerace shuttle from the fairgrounds to the start was horrendous. The shuttle was stop and go. They need to have a different route for the shuttle and the people getting dropped off. At the finish, the foot traffic congestion was horrible. The post race meeting area with friends and family was at the intersection for finishing runners, beer garden, bag pickup and parking. Lastly it took over an hour to leave the parking lot after the race. As far as we can tell, there was just 1 exit until a second exit was opened once the backup became ridiculous. There was no one directing traffic inside the parking lot. Cars were going every direction creating a chaotic scene. I hope the organizers take steps to improve the experience next year. read more

The course is beautiful but their parking is such a scam. They lure you into the fairgrounds, make you pay, and then you circle for hours because they don't have enough parking for half the runners' families read more

tl,dr: Great experience! The half-marathon route passes by spectacular views of SoCal. Plenty hydration stations throughout the course. Likes: + The semi-marathon route starts at Fashion Island and runs along PCH and ends at OC Fair. Meanwhile it also passes by exotic, lesser-known landmarks such as the VEA Marriott Newport Beach hotel and the enticing Marine War Memorial. + Almost excellently well-organized. + Several hydration (water and Gatorade) stations were placed throughout the semi-marathon route. + Numerous cheerleaders with hilarious signs. A few of which read: "Run like you stole something" "Finish up so I can drink" "Run if you think I'm cute" + There was even a guy in a wheelchair doing this run! Major props to his dedication. + They use good technology to track your pace and finish time and to capture photos of you throughout the run. Non-likes: - I don't like that their website warns us of a $12 parking charge for both bib pickup and race day itself, yet it turns out parking at the OC Fair for this Marathon event is free on both days. Misleading. Their website FAQ needs update. Concern: * I don't think the Yelp address for this OC Marathon is correct. 3100 Airway Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 is for the John Wayne Airport (SNA). 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 would be the better address for this Yelp venue, since both the half-marathon and the full marathon routes end at the OC Fair. read more

OC Marathon - My semi-marathon finish stats. - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've run this race a number of times since 2014 and really appreciate the difference that this locally owned and operated race experience provides versus some of the big corporate races. The race is owned and operated by runners and they really seek to create a great experience. Many of the volunteers have been with the race for multiple years and it shows. Obviously COVID produced several challenges, and of all the races I had signed up for in 2020, this one had the most impressive array of options to make it right: 1) Run virtual (good for those who wanted to keep legacy status) 2) Run in 2021 3) Defer to 2022 I chose to both run virtual to keep my legacy streak intact and then return to the in-person event in November 2021 (will be back in May come 2022). The race team was great about communicating updates as they were able to, based on all of the changing information and working with state and local authorities. So happy they could put on an event in 2021! Great swag as always... the traditional short sleeved tee, medals for each distance and various challenges, and as a bonus to those who ran in person, a really nice quarter zip top! Legacy runners also got a super cute tote bag. Solid course (referring to the half--have not run the full) that takes in great views of the ocean, bluffs and with a grand finish on the OC fairgrounds. Excellent support at water stations and plenty of people cheering all around. This is a race I keep on my schedule annually! :) read more

OC Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This was my first time running the OC Half Marathon, and it was so poorly planned by the organizers and City of Costa Mesa that I doubt I'll do it again. I parked at the OC Event Center/Finish Line about an hour before start time and then waited for 30 mins in line waiting for the shuttle buses to arrive. Once on the bus, the traffic getting to the Start Line was so bad, the gun had already gone off by the time I got there, so I ended up joining the starting group after mine for the start. To make matters worse, the porta potties at the start were, as literally every person that used them pointed out, the most disgusting they'd ever seen. The one highlight of the start was the personal item dropoff at the UPS trucks which was quite efficient. Along the run, water, Gatorade, and gel stands were poorly marked and staffed, so it was pretty much impossible to get the hydration and nutrition a runner needed without having to stop. I'd thankfully packed my own gels, but not being able to consistently follow my hydration/electrolyte plan definitely contributed to my cramping and slower time. The course also narrows down to a single path on several portions, which is much too narrow to get thousands of people through. Race done, the post-race area was again incredibly poorly organized with way too many people packed into one area. The line for the personal item pick up extended almost out of the event area, resulting in waits of 30-60 minutes. At that point, I just wanted to get away from the masses and waded my way through toward the one exit. One. Why force tens of thousands of people to have to exit through one exit??? Free Michelob Ultra? Hah. That would have been a nice way to celebrate finishing the race, if you didn't have to crawl through a sea of humanity, wait in line, and then presumably have to find yet another disgustingly unkempt bathroom. I was so glad to get to my car, only to find that the row of cars trying to exit literally didn't move for over an hour. Even more frustrating was that you could see the "parking attendants" just milling around, doing absolutely nothing to direct traffic. After an hour and a half of sitting in line, I was finally able to get to the exit, only to see ONE city police officer doing very little to direct traffic and relying on the traffic lights which obviously could not efficiently manage the drastically higher volumes. Better organized cities/events have people actively directing traffic and even manually controlling the lights in order to keep cars moving. As others have pointed out, getting to/from the event literally took twice as long and was way more brutal than the run itself. This was the 20th running of the OC Half. Were the previous 19 this poorly organized, or did I just get unlucky? read more

As a long time resident of Orange. County and one who runs most races in the areas, this event is my favorite. The course is beautiful, challenging and the finish line is exceptional with the live band as icing on the cake. It's also great to the the marathon finishers while you're at the finish line festival and as someone who's ran this marathon in the past, seeing others cheer on you towards the finish when you feel like you've exhausted all your energy is exactly what every runner needs. I realize there were some problems with gear check pickup and parking this year. Again, I've ran this race several years and this was the first year I'd seen it get crazy. I also didn't experience any issues myself. I had no trouble picking up my gear nor getting out of the lot. read more

Really disappointed in the parking lot situation for the 2024 marathon. Hundreds of cars were stuck for over two hours because no one was guiding them out. The most disorganized race I've been to. I was hoping for a happy time after the race to spend time with family and friend and instead spent over 2 hours in the parking. My parents who were looking forward to seeing me finish now say that will be the last time they go to a race. I'll also be rethinking my entry for next year. Not worth it. I live 20 minutes away. Finished the race at 10, got home at 1 pm... and it wasn't due to street traffic. read more

I've been running the OC half over a decade + since 2011. The OC half was my first half in SoCal and the beautiful course and great community atmosphere keeps my coming back year after year. The race weekend has become a family event with both my husband and son having run their first half marathons at OC! My younger daughter has had a blast running the 5K. The finish line race festival is always a blast! I'm so grateful the OC marathon weekend is my local race! read more

OC Marathon - Son crossing his first half at the OC half (2024) - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This was my last half marathon to complete the beach cities races for my trifecta medal and it was by far my favorite. Starting in one point and ending in another is best vase scenario. The scenery is gorgeous. I have done it two year in a row and the weather has been perfect both times. It's such a fun race! Seriously couldn't suggest it more! read more

OC Marathon - Second OC half! - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The OC Marathon is one of my favorite races, and it's where I completed my first marathon, so it holds a lot of meaning for me. The course itself is stunning, especially with the coastal views, and the crowd support always helps push you through. What really stands out is how well-organized everything is, from packet pick-up to the finish line--it makes the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. This will be my third year running it, and I can't wait to feel that same excitement all over again. It's a race I keep coming back to for good reason! read more

OC Half/Full Marathon is by far one of my favorite local races. I've done the half a few times, and the full marathon once, and can't wait to run the half again in May! The course is beautiful - the first few miles are around some gorgeous oceanview homes that are fun to take in! There's always a ton of local crowd support, both from locals and the dozens of SoCal running clubs. The course has some challenging moments (namely that hill at mile 8), but has an amazing fun finish on the fairgrounds and a great tunnel of people that fill in the finish line chute. If you haven't done this race yet, add it to your list. You won't be disappointed. read more

OC Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Horrible 2024 parking lot at the OC Fair Grounds for the OC Marathon. It took us 2.5 hours to exit the parking lot and that is with us starting early (1/2 marathon finish and tried to get out of the lot way before hundereds more). We literaly moved 5 ft in 1 hr. Worst experience ever and would never recommend this event to anyone. read more

Always a good time running the OC half marathon! The views are unreal. Love the vibe and even had a few cheerleaders out there this year. Also liked having Happy Dad seltzers as an option for our after race drink this year while watching some good music! read more

I first ran the OC half marathon in 2012 and twice again these last 2 years. This year, I also ran the 5k with my 3 year old in a jogging stroller. The half marathon course is full of beautiful neighborhoods and scenic views along the beach. The after party with live band is always a blast! You cannot beat the perfect SoCal weather and SoCal vibes. This is definitely one of my favorite races that I look forward to each year! read more

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I have completed the OC Marathon every year since 2012. I keep coming back due to the great course support that the race offers. The spectacular views of many cities in the Orange County area. Running along the beach, the back bay and other areas just make this even better. I saw some folks upset over the fairground parking. Parking was a little crazy this year at the fairgrounds but that is on me. We made our shuttle on time but should have been there a bit earlier then the time we gave ourselves. We were blessed with perfect weather as well. The legacy gift this year was so awesome. A triple walled water bottle that was BPA free and stainless steel inside. Can't wait to see what the legacy gift will be next year. read more

Highly recommend avoiding this race. It took 40 minutes to park at the expo and once I got my bib, it took an additional 40 minutes to leave the expo to get to my car in the parking lot. The race planners decided it was a great idea to have multiple children's races at the one exit of the expo. When a race was going, you physically could not leave. Highly recommend avoiding this race as it is so poorly organized. read more

OC Marathon - Line to leave the expo. - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

OC marathon is by far my favorite local race! I've done the half a few times and cannot wait to run it again in May. It's always great weather, and the race staff does such a great job organizing everything. The course is beautiful (I love running through CDM and next to the ocean and beautiful homes) and there is always a ton of crowd support, as the locals come out and cheer everyone on and sometimes provide treats. I prefer to park near the start and take a bus from the finish back to my car, as that's worked out well for me. I highly recommend this course and have PR'd on it more than once. Other than the hill at mile 11, it's either flat or downhill. Sign up and have some fun! read more

OC Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ran the OC Half Marathon this past weekend. You start off at Fashion Island and run through the OC and end up at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Parking was $9 at the fairgrounds and they shuttled us to the starting line. Ton of buses, very organized. Took about 15 minutes to drive to Fashion Island. The website said the course was fast paced but they lied! lol The course was full of inclines. The declines helped even it out but your legs are shot after each hill. Beautiful course. Lots of residential running. The houses are really nice. Lots of water stations. One chew station. Lots of local support, thanks! After the run you get a bunch of snacks and drinks. I never got so much stuff after a run. You also get a free beer! It was a nice fun run! read more

Why did you put the only exit in the path of the kids race? Had to wait for everyone to cross. Terrible

My first full marathon & it was pretty good experience. Living in the San Fernando valley of LA & being super cheap I decided to pass on the LA Marathon & do the OC marathon solely based on price (LA being near $200, OC $105 when I signed up). Marathons are pretty expensive, & the OC Marathon was the most affordable big event marathon that I saw listed all year. The course is pretty good for first time marathon runners, a very flat course (the few inclines that were on the course barley felt like an incline) the area is near the coast so the weather is great for running. The course also goes through major streets & small neighborhoods. Their social media pages (Facebook/Twitter) give out basic info about the race & upcoming events but they aren't very interactive with people regarding questions so if you're trying to find out information regarding the race or expo details checking their website is your best bet. The expo was ok, pretty much the same vendors at every other marathons/half marathon expo. You're pretty much paying 8 bucks to park so you can get your race packet & save a few bucks by purchasing a parking pass the day before the marathon. The post race event was fun and festive with an energetic crowd, the only down side was the terrible plan for exiting the parking lot. The end of the race cuts through one of the parking lot exits near the entrance of the parking lot so there's only one way out. It took some people around an hour and a half to get out since the street is also slowed down by the race course. Despite the crappy parking situation this is a fun race with a good course & fun post race event. If I didn't live so far from this area id consider running it again next year. read more

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PR BABY!!!! Finally able to get a sub-2! Ok I'm late posting this but nothing has changed in a year with this course and everything about it. Able to get the OC Legacy status and got a free t-shirt and another free beer post-race. You also get to stay in the VIP tent after the race, but I opted to leave. See ya OC Halfie!!! It was great running you the past 3 years!!! =========================================================== Stats: Overall: 2232 out of 9980 Women: 811 out of 5992 F 35-39: 142 out of 970 Age/Grade: 55.62% Place: 2073 Finish: 1:59:31 Pace: 9:07 Tag Time: 1:59:31 Gun Time: 2:00:54 Split Times 5 Km: 28:18 Pace: 9:07 10 Km: 54:52 Pace: 8:50 11 Mi: 1:40:41 Pace: 9:10 read more

Took longer to get out the parking lot than the whole race itself. Stuck in gridlock for hours and had kids in the car who were crying and needing to pee. Worst experience. Will never sign up for it again. read more

I've been running the OC 5k and Half Marathon since 2016 and will keep coming back year after year! The race has such a fun vibe, great views, course with variety without being so challenging you can't PR. The expo/5k festival has some of the best vendors and giveaways! Awards are beautiful, have quality age group awards across all events. It's a must do race! read more

Great views of the ocean, great weather. The course is full of energy. The post race party is the best part with a live band and lots venders. read more

Such a great atmosphere to be at, so many runners to share our stories and experiences with

I have not run this marathon since back in 2007. I did volunteer in 2010 as one of the section commanders. I entered the race primarily because it was their 10th year anniversary as well as to complete a couple of challenges. I had run Long Beach and the Surf City Marathons and needed OC to complete the Beach Cities Challenge for an extra medal. I would also get a Double Dog Dare bottle opener for completing both the Surf City and OC Marathons in the same calendar year. With all of these extra medals at stake, I guess I just had to run it this year. I found the race to be very well organized from the expo through the post-race festivities. I liked the moderately challenging course except for the stretch on the bike path where Lance Armstrong wannabe weekend warriors try to plow through the runners head-on with their bikes. So if the course remains the same, keep your head up and watch out for those cyclists! The free post race beer were served in pretty tiny cups. We had a choice between Tecate Light and Dos Equis so I'm not sure that I would want to drink much more of that beer. Also they probably do not want a bunch of tired drunk runners on the roads. Since the race ends in the OC Fairgrounds, you have several different food and drink options. You can purchase more beer and food from the other vendors on site. You had a choice of either parking at the start and taking a shuttle back after the race or pay to park at the finish area in one of the parking lots at the OC Fairground. I went with parking at the start since I had my friend that would give me a ride back to my car. Overall: I had a good experience with this race this year. With it being their 10th year, I'm sure they tried their best to make it spectacular and I think they were quite successful in pulling that off. read more

OC Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Yeeah Yeeah Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah!!! Completed the OC Half Marathon and with that I also completed the Beach Cities Challenge!!! Woot Woot!!! I would say this Half Marathon was the most scenic and also the most difficult! I felt like every turn I made I was going up a hill. What da heo! But it was cool. Started off at Fashion Island and ended up at the OC Fair Grounds. I definitely liked how we started in one area and ended in a whole other area. lol Thank you again to all the volunteers and medics for passing out refreshments and assisting the runners that were not feeling well. My favorite sign that someone was holding was probably the one that said "Make this last mile your bitch." hahaha! But the one thing I did dislike about this run (and it wasn't even about the run) was how much it was a cluster fuck to get out of the parking lot. We entered the OC fair grounds from all these entrances. Why is there only one exit?? Took over an hour to get out of that damn parking lot. All in all. Not bad. I did enjoy this run. Can't wait to run you more in the future. Complete more of the beach cities challenge. See you all at Long Beach! read more

OC Marathon - OC half marathon medal and beach cities challenge medal!!! :) - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Love running the OC Marathon. It's a great view of the ocean and around newport back bay and also beautiful homes in Newport that I will never be able to afford lol. It is organized and the buses in the morning of is really helpful to get people to the start and park at the OC fairgrounds. The staff are always helpful and eager to help if there are any questions. can't wait to run it again! read more

If you haven't done the OC Marathon or Half Marathon it's a once in a lifetime thing to do. Be sure to sign up early to save money on the registration. It is a requirement for everyone to pick up their bibs on the Friday or Saturday before the race. If for whatever reason you were unable to pick up your bib than they ask you to print, fill out and sign the waiver form and photocopy your ID/DL so someone else could pick it up. They stressed so much that there were absolutely NO RACE DAY Pickups! To park at the expo there was a $8 parking fee and they also charged for race day parking there. If you bought the race day parking at the expo it would be $8 and if you bought it on the day of the race than it would be $10. If you buy your ticket before they give you a parking pass to display. On race day, The lines to go into the parking lot were hectic because many people did not purchase their parking passes before which caused a back up. I think they should add parking into the registration making it easier and faster for people to park on race day. read more

OC Marathon - Parking Pass (Front). May 2017. - Races & Competitions Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Fairly organized registration process and the terrain is flat. Race was delayed multiple times due to COVID, but I'm excited to experience this November. Close to the beach and starts at Fashion Island - what's better than beaches and malls! read more

(Half #12, 2015) The Beach Cities Challenge...CHECK! After running Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and OC, I finally snagged this exclusive--and sometimes, perhaps, elusive--Beach Cities series medal. Each of the routes is just as beautifully scenic as the next (c'mon, they're all at the beach!) and possibly just as demanding, depending upon your perspective. I mean, I'd only begun seriously running a year ago; experiencing, then, the Pacific Coast Highway solely upon a pair of Sauconys, 13.1 miles at a time, was quite a shift--a refreshingly memorable shift, though. (My PR's slid, by the way. But I blame this trio: one can't help snapping a few more photos!) Excuses, excuses... I've got a million of 'em! What's great about the Beach Cities Challenge--besides the meandering courses and the cockle-shaped and golden commemorative medal--is that in order to conquer this challenge, you aren't required to run each race within the same calendar year like many other challenges. The races, instead, just have to be run consecutively. The Long Beach Marathon is typically in October, Huntington Beach's Surf City Marathon is roundabout February, and OC returns as always in May. Unlike the other two runs, however, OC is a point-to-point, not looped. You'll begin at Fashion Island and end at the Orange County Fairgrounds; so unless you're being dropped off, you'll be shuttling, buses awaiting you at the Fairgrounds. Speaking then of parking, while you are at the Expo--your packet pick-up attendance is mandatory--watch for a booth selling parking passes. Getting a pass early costs $7, while waiting to pay for parking the day of the race bumps up to $10. Why not save? A little extra: The OC Marathon has a Legacy Club. Sadly, at the moment, I'm not allowed, not special nor cool enough quite yet. But after three consecutive years running OC, I will be. Two more stand in my way, just two more. And the "Double Dog Dare," someday soon--maybe next year?--I'm coming for ya'! =] read more

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"We have won!" -- Pheidippides The legend is that is what poor Pheidippides said at the end of the first officially sanctioned marathon, back in Ancient Greece, just before he keeled over and died. For my first distance race since the 2010 Camp Pendleton Mud run, i decided to avoid his fate by running a half-marathon instead. And it worked because i was only half-dead in the end! ;) You may have heard reports the morning of May 6th of an Old Gray Whale beached and running in Newport but that was only me. And "running" is a very loose definition of what i was doing to finish the race as it took me just a shade above 3 hours to complete. But I had an enjoyable time save for the 4:00AM wake-up call! Now when I say I only get up that early for a physical work-out, sometimes it's the truth and not a double entendre ;) Check in the Friday before to pick up garish running shirt was not much of a hassle. Parking was ample on both days of course. The only negative was the insane traffic mess leaving the fairgrounds as the slow waddlers like myself were fighting each other to get out. My Yelp friend Maria C. said for her it was a breeze and so therein is your incentive to shave an hour off your time. I'm signing up for LB so I'll be happy with losing another 10 lbs and maybe 15-20 minutes off my time. Course is mostly flat with one annoying small hill near the 11 mile mike just when you need an annoying small hill the least. Highly recommended race :) read more

Imagine echoes created by thousands of footfalls tapping the pavement. A cascade of sound as you huff and puff 13.1 miles to your goal. Pure magic to a marathon first-timer, such as myself. The spell has been cast and now I am hooked. Woke up late, got to the marathon later than planned, still on time. Was unsure of how well I would do; this being my first. As I approached the finish line, saw all the people cheering, bit my lip so I wouldn't cry. (I saved the bawling for later in private.. haha) Beautiful Course. 13.1 miles (if you're doing the half) through scenic ocean and bay view vistas. I did the half; as a practice for the full I'll be doing June 5th for the Rock and Roll Marathon in SD. OC Marathon highlights: ::::Water stations::::: were plentiful. Toward the later to middle miles we started seeing the gatorade and energy gel stations. They were very helpful for fast fuel and taking in carbs to burn during the course. Not too bad on the tastebuds, I got the espresso-flavored energy gel. I liked how it was fast and easy to eat, as opposed to a power bar or power-gummies that require chewing. :::::The port-o-potties::::::::: were not as plentiful as I had imagined, and the lines seemed rather long during the course. During the first two miles, a father and son duo were spotted veering off into the foliage in the median and just flat out pissing right there. You could detect a light murmur comprised of grown-up giggling as we all paced through the sight. I was fortunate enough to be able to hold it in all 13.1 miles. I don't know if I'll be able to for the 26 miler next month. We shall have to see! ::::The course::: Moderate hills, not too hard, but still challenging. Made me realize the beauty of running downhill. :::The medal is gorgeous!:::: ::::::::::Reuniting with friends an family after::::::: PROTIP: organize a reunion plan with your family and friends that wish to meet and greet with you after your run. Make sure they get to the venue 2 or 3 hours in advance, or else they are in for a terrible and traffic-ful surprise. :::::The After-Event:::: Fun and carnival-like in feel. Food booths, music, inflatable slides, photos, goodie bags, kids, families, couples. Everyone so filled with joy, either having completed their marathon goals or celebrating the goals of a loved one. ------------------------- I had a great experience running in this half marathon as a first-timer. A moment that will last a lifetime, a story I can tell my children and grandchildren. A marathon is more than just a run... it offers motivation for a healthy way of life, a change of life, a goal and a success in a horizon for the young or old. read more

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