
Newport Beach, United States of America · Sunday 3 May 2026
The event commonly known as the OC Marathon is held annually in Orange County, California, traversing the coastal communities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana before finishing at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. The full marathon begins near Fashion Island in Newport Beach and ends at the heart of Costa Mesa, making it a point-to-point race where the starting and finishing locations differ.\n\nParticipants can select from several race formats, including a full marathon (26.
Adjusted Time
4:01:05
Time difference: +1.1 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
OC Marathon is a full marathon held in Newport Beach, United States of America, scheduled for Sunday 3 May 2026. The course is run on road surface with 170m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 77m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official OC Marathon website.
With 170m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 3m to 77m above sea level (74m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Based on historical weather data for May, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 14°C and 19°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance over the full distance. There is a low chance of rain (4%), so dry conditions are likely.
OC Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.
Our difficulty rating for OC Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare OC Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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