Carlsbad Marathon
Carlsbad's fast, flat course offers a scenic coastal run with strong community support.
Race Date
Jan 17, 2027
Location
Carlsbad, CA
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, January 17, 2027
- Location
- Carlsbad, California
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2M, 5K run | kids run
- Course
- Point to Point
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 126,888
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, first run in 1999, has grown into a beloved Southern California race, drawing approximately 4,000 finishers annually from across the United States. This event is renowned for its exceptionally flat and fast certified course, making it a prime destination for runners seeking personal bests.
The race unfolds along the scenic coastal roads of Carlsbad, offering ocean views and a refreshing sea breeze. The course is designed for speed, with minimal elevation changes and a slight net drop, ensuring a forgiving experience for all participants. This well-organized event boasts strong spectator support, creating a lively and motivating atmosphere from start to finish.
With a repeat-runner loyalty rate of around 20%, the Carlsbad event has cemented its status as a favorite. Runners appreciate the combination of a high-performance course, beautiful scenery, and a welcoming community vibe, culminating in a rewarding finish line celebration.
Race-provided description
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Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Point to Point
Terrain
road
Scenery
Coastal
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
+0.03 m
Separation
0.7%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
CA17004RG · Carlsbad Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Course Map
Quality Score
Runner Favorite9526 years running
~3,512 finishers a year
growing or steady
20% returning runners
USATF certified · 3 timing sources
runners from 45 states
winner 0:37:29
typical high 63°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
49°
Afternoon (High)
63°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.1"
Precipitation
11 mph
Wind
71%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 126,888 finishers actually crossed the line across 26 years.
Most recent
2026
Total finishers
126,888
Median time
2:12:21
Latest turnout
4,040
States
51
Turnout by year
2019–2026
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Carlsbad Marathon?
The Carlsbad Marathon is held on Sunday, January 17, 2027.
Where does the Carlsbad Marathon take place?
It takes place in Carlsbad, California.
What distances does the Carlsbad Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2M, 5K run | kids run.
Is the Carlsbad Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Carlsbad Marathon is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Carlsbad Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 126,888 runners who have completed the Carlsbad Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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