OC Marathon Race Info

Date: 5/5/19

Location: Costa Mesa, CA

Start Time: 5:30am

Avg Temps (f): 66/57 (Costa Mesa)

Time Limit: 7 hours

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Not tons of spectators on the course, especially with such an early start, so if you really like crowd support, this may not be your favorite race
Even with such an early start, it can still get quite warm for the race once the sun comes up
Speaking of an early start, 5:30 is EARLY, so that means plan on shuttle/parking/drop off in the 4-4:45am range
Second half is a little more boring scenery compared to the first half, so have mental tricks for getting through the second half, when you’re likely tiring
Small out and back after mile 15 which has a sharp u-turn, which can feel fairly jarring that late in the race
While it’s overall a fairly fast, flat race, there are a fair number of turns, some greater than 90 degrees, along the course, which can slow you down and break your rhythm
Many more runners do the half marathon, so the marathon feels fairly small and gets fairly strung out over the course of the race – be aware of this if you enjoy running with lots of people and/or groups
Second half of the race also narrows, which isn’t a huge problem since there are so few marathoners compared to half marathoners

Course

Type: Point to Point

Start/Finish Info: Different locations, starting at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa and finishing at the OC Fair and Event Center. See Parking & Directions

Hills: Net downhill from start to finish.