2021 Long Beach Marathon is back on

Oceanfront racing returns to Long Beach in a big way on October 9th and 10th with the Long Beach Marathon. This classic Long Beach race is more than just a Boston-Qualifying marathon with a downhill finish. There’s a distance for everyone! Choose from the marathon, the half marathon, the 20-mile bike tour, and the Aquarium of the Pacific 5K.

The marathon course starts in downtown Long Beach, passes the Queen Mary, runs the beach path and completes a 5K loop on the UCLB campus before heading back to Ocean Boulevard for its downhill finish.

Looking for something a little shorter? The half marathon course is seriously flat. The highest elevation on the course is 45 feet. Starting on Shoreline Drive, the course passes the Pike at Shoreline Village, crosses the Queensway Bridge and runs to the bow of the Queen Mary, circles back around the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Lighthouse at Rainbow Harbor, then back by Shoreline Village before heading down the beautiful beach path. You’ll close out your race running above the ocean along the bluff before closing out downhill into a cheering final straight of fans.

Not a runner? The Long Beach Marathon still has an event for you! Join the 20 mile Bike Tour. This event provides avid and leisure cyclists alike the opportunity to ride one of the most beautiful Bike Tours in Southern California. It is a safe, scenic and fully closed 20 mile course. Be a part of the marathon weekend experience with all the perks including a commemorative event shirt, finishers medal, complimentary beer and more! Enjoy the sights of Long Beach on the Bike Tour with your friends and family!

Don’t forget about Saturday’s race! The Aquarium of the Pacific 5k takes place on Saturday, October 9th and is the perfect distance for all running abilities. Run the 5k with friends and family or use it as a shakeout run for Sunday race events.

If you can’t decide on a single race, run multiples! In addition to receiving a unique shirt and medal for each distance, you’ll also receive the Long Beach Combo challenge medal.

For runners that aren’t ready to race in crowds yet or can’t make it to Long Beach on October 9th and 10th to participate in-person, there is the virtual run option for both the marathon and the half marathon. Best of all, the virtual run counts for those individuals looking to complete the Beach Cities Challenge or maintain their loyalty status.

For more information, and to register, visit RunLongBeach.com

posted Thursday August 19th