Perfect weather, big race crowds shows up for Surf City Marathon

More than 20,000 racers hit the pavement along Pacific Coast Highway for the 30th annual Surf City Marathon, organizers said.

Race day Sunday, which included a marathon, half marathon and 5K, is considered a premiere event in the running community, drawing competitors from around the world who relish the scenic ocean views and Southern California’s idyllic weather.

This year’s marathon sold out, with participation back to pre-pandemic attendance, organizers said. There was also a one-mile run along sand on Saturday.

“The high demand we’ve seen for the marathon and the half marathon, alongside the continued popularity of the 5K and Beach Mile, make it clear: Runners love returning to Surf City USA for an exceptional coastline experience that could only happen here,” Phyllis Blanchard, VP of commercial partnerships at Motiv Sports, producer of the Surf City Marathon, said in a statement. “Beyond just the oceanfront views, our participants can feel the authentic local connections and longstanding relationships that set this race apart. It’s what has made this event such a success for the last 30 years, and what will allow it to keep growing for the next 30.”

Dan Cruz, head of communications for the event, said 30 years ago there hadn’t yet been the running boom of the early 2000s, calling the event “ahead of its time.”

“It really embraces our Southern California active lifestyle,” he said.

The festivities kicked off with a two-day Active Lifestyle Expo on Friday and Saturday in the parking lot, featuring the latest in running gear, recovery products, nutrition and wellness.

The marathon is of the same caliber as the Boston or New York marathons, but Huntington Beach’s event gives a perfect pairing of the “four p’s,” Cruz said.

“The pier, PCH, palm trees and the people,” he said. “Really, it’s the story of why people run that makes this event so special. It’s become a destination event, a first Sunday in February tradition.”

The event also benefits charities. All proceeds from the post-race party go to Ainsley’s Angels, which has been able to purchase three racing chairs because of the running community, Cruz said.

“The fact that they are able to benefit from this race directly and put that money back into our community, it’s one of the legacy bright spots for the history of the event,” he said.

Another unique aspect of the race is the mile run on the sand that started in 2019, held the day before the bigger races, that draws thousands of people.

“You can’t do a mile in the sand at the Omaha or Detroit marathon,” Cruz noted. “It’s no doubt a unique experience. It’s just so fun to see the local surfers going to hang 10 and the runners skirting around them as they cross the sand.”

It’s an event that brings people together, he noted.

“This is an event that brings people together, you are side by side, accomplishing the same goal,” he said. “It’s a pretty incredible achievement for a lot of people.”

There’s people who never thought they could run a mile, finishing with tears, their family cheering them on, he said.

“We’re hopeful to have it around another 30 years,” he said.