Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
The Lowdown
The Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K is a coastal winter race held in Carlsbad, California, with the full marathon starting and finishing at The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Runners enjoy an out-and-back, gently rolling course along historic Highway 101/Carlsbad Boulevard with miles of uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, fully staffed support stations, on-course entertainment, and a lively finish-line festival. The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and offers a full marathon, half marathon, 5K, Double Down Challenge (5K + half), plus virtual options, making it a destination “run-cation” over MLK weekend.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
36th Annual Event & Perks Announced
Dec 3, 2025Organizers confirmed the 36th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K will return on January 18, 2026, with enhanced participant perks including premium technical apparel, a reusable swag bag, Columbia Sportswear employee-store access, and an upgraded finish-line festival.
35th Annual Event Draws 7,000+ Runners
Jan 19, 2025The 35th annual Carlsbad Marathon weekend welcomed more than 7,000 participants across the marathon, half marathon, and 5K distances, highlighting strong demand for the fast, scenic winter course and reinforcing its status as a key Southern California race.
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
The Carlsbad Marathon course starts and finishes at The Shoppes at Carlsbad and follows a scenic out-and-back route along historic Highway 101/Carlsbad Boulevard. Runners pass coastal lagoons such as Buena Vista Lagoon and Agua Hedionda Lagoon, enjoy long stretches of oceanfront running overlooking Tamarack Beach and the Pacific, and run near Carlsbad Village’s shops and cafés. The route features low coastal bluffs, beach access points, residential neighborhoods, and multiple fully staffed support stations that showcase the “Village by the Sea” vibe.
Carlsbad, CA, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
- Marathon participants must be at least 16 years old on race day.
- Runners must be able to maintain a pace of 13:44 min/mile or faster to finish within the 6-hour time limit.
- All participants under 18 must have their event waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
- It is recommended that participants under 16 running shorter distances be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian.
- Participants must follow race rules regarding course cutoffs, timing, and safety instructions from race officials.
- Government-issued photo ID for bib pickup at the Expo/Packet Pickup (or at race-day packet pickup if that option was purchased).
- Signed event waiver (completed during online registration; a parent/guardian must sign for participants under 18).
- Proof of registration/confirmation email is recommended for check-in.
- International participants are responsible for any required travel/visa documents to enter the United States.
- Participants register primarily online through the event’s official registration partner (Race Roster) up to the published registration deadline, typically January 15 if the race has not sold out. If space remains, limited late registration may be offered at the Expo/Packet Pickup. Runners can sign up for the marathon, half marathon, 5K, Double Down Challenge, or virtual options, and may also create or join teams. Transfers, virtual switches, and deferrals are managed according to the race’s published policies.
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
All entry fees are non-refundable and generally non-transferable to other In Motion Events races. If you can no longer participate, the organizers offer several options subject to deadlines and availability, including:
Purchasing Enhanced Refund Protection during registration (administered by Protecht/FanShield).
Using a defined transfer period to transfer your entry to another eligible participant.
Switching to a virtual participant for the same distance.
Paid deferral to the following year’s race (if offered for that year).
Active-duty military members who are unexpectedly deployed may request either a deferral to the following year or a partial refund (less an administrative fee) by submitting documentation to the race office by the stated deadline.
The Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K is part of In Motion Events’ Southern California race portfolio and is often included in the SoCal Triple Crown series. All in-person races start and finish at The Shoppes at Carlsbad (2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008). The weekend features an expo and packet pickup on Friday and Saturday, extensive course support with water, electrolyte drink, and gels at designated stations, chip timing, and age-group awards. Post-race, runners can enjoy refreshments, music, vendors, and a beer garden at the finish-line festival.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.