Surfers Point Marathon
Ventura, CA
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Surfers Point Marathon is very spectator-friendly, and mostly flat. Start at Emma Wood State Beach Group Campground head north onto the bike path. Bike path leads you onto HWY-1 beachfront bike path. Runners will stay on the bike path or shoulder (ocean side) along the entire route. Turn around … MORE
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Not great
Did the race in 2023. The course itself is pretty flat but the scenery itself is pretty unchanging the whole way. It is by the water which is beautiful of … MORE
Did the race in 2023. The course itself is pretty flat but the scenery itself is pretty unchanging the whole way. It is by the water which is beautiful of course but there is a line of RVs between you and the water view for most of the way. They have also done away with cups so you are required to bring your own water bottles and fill them up yourself which is pretty awful when you are trying to race without stopping. It is not a huge race so not a ton of crowds or runners. The start line was extremely difficult to find and almost missed the start of the race because we couldn’t find where it was.
A small gem along the coast
This race could be awesome, but the race director needs to ensure he has enough volunteers by race day. It becomes like a one man show where he is greeting … MORE
This race could be awesome, but the race director needs to ensure he has enough volunteers by race day. It becomes like a one man show where he is greeting runners, getting results, shuttling folks back to their cars, and handing out medals. Great shirt, excellent timing company, enough porta-potties (highly important) even on the course.
Fun marathon
The race is a gathering of runners who get together for a good time. The course was challenging without being too difficult, the scenery was great( I saw a whale), … MORE
The race is a gathering of runners who get together for a good time. The course was challenging without being too difficult, the scenery was great( I saw a whale), and the support was great. There was an aid station every mile or two and lots of smiling faces.
Easy course, great scenery
This year, the marathon was a small race with under 100 participants. The course was flat and easy to run, but along a road with many cars and was the … MORE
This year, the marathon was a small race with under 100 participants. The course was flat and easy to run, but along a road with many cars and was the half course run twice. The ocean views were awesome!
The aid stations were poorly stocked (only water and gatorade). The free shuttle service from the fairgrounds to the start saved me from walking 3 extra Miles.
A Hot Day.
It felt very hot late morning for the race. I think All aid stations ran out of Gatorade after the first 3 hours. Pretty flat course. The "boardwalk" gets a … MORE
It felt very hot late morning for the race. I think All aid stations ran out of Gatorade after the first 3 hours. Pretty flat course. The “boardwalk” gets a little congested and narrow at some points which could force you to slow you down. I would do this race again.
Beautiful Run at Surfer's Point Beach
Do not be deceived by the title - Surfer's Point Marathon encompasses just that - plus other race distances: half marathon, 10K, and 5K. There's something for everybody. Walkers are … MORE
Do not be deceived by the title – Surfer’s Point Marathon encompasses just that – plus other race distances: half marathon, 10K, and 5K. There’s something for everybody. Walkers are also allowed on the course; the marathon finish time is a generous 7 hours.
I loved this race! The feel was mellow yet timely, the race was organized into clear start waves within each race — and staggered start times for each of the distances. The MC was pleasant and entertaining.
This was the farthest yet I’ve travelled to race, coming some 100 miles away. We drove in early morning, packet pick up is also allowed on race day (yay!) and started promptly at 6; the course was casual and open, meaning other non-racers were strolling along the path too, but there was no congestion because the path/boardwalk was wide enough. It was fun to get randomly splashed by the incoming surf. The views along the course are A-mazing with the rolling waves and “beach vibes.”
I did the 5K – flat, easy course, easy to follow; there were volunteers handing out water/gatorade and directing us as we looped around to head back to the finish line. Perks of this are: 2 tacos from a delicious taco truck; 1 beer; PLUS award medals for top 3 finishers in EACH race division for EACH age group and EACH gender. So if you feel your time is competitive in the top 3; you have a stand out chance.
Awards and medals aside, this course is fresh and flat — highly recommend, at least for a shorter distance. The marathoners had to do 2 loops of the half marathon route. In the morning, temps were a chill 58-60 degrees, by the time the race started, the sun was shining and easily by 8 am, it was HOT. So I felt that marathon runners were sweating it out…just something to keep in mind…