Run Seal Beach
Seal Beach, CA
- 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
You won’t want to miss this scenic race, through Old Town Seal Beach, featuring historic landmarks and amazing views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This one of a kind course takes you along the San Gabriel river, past stunning homes on the famous “Gold Coast” and the iconic wood pier. … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 28):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 82 | 67 | 68 | 70 | 63 |
| L (°F) | 57 | 55 | 52 | 49 | 57 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
disorganized and inconvenient
I ran the 5K race last year, mostly because it starts right outside my place. The folks that put this together are mostly volunteers and I feel bad if this … MORE
I ran the 5K race last year, mostly because it starts right outside my place.
The folks that put this together are mostly volunteers and I feel bad if this is going to be a criticism, however maybe they will improve from this.
This year I signed up for the 10K.
Despite reaching out many many times for my race bid, number one, they will not mail it to you.
Secondly, they will email you with very little details of how to get your race number until just a few days maybe two days prior.
Then I got a rude email response, “You apparently don’t read my emails.” When they never send any information like times to pick it up etc.
Then a day or so prior to race, they send instructions, as follows:
There is a narrow window of time (the day prior to race 2pm to 7pm and race day 6 am to 730 am)
I tried to go on Friday earlier as I work from noon til nighttime… the woman with the scornful face told me they don’t have it, then shut the door behind me.
I get home late on Friday from work (1 am) then get up at 6 am to rush over there before 730 am, which was a near miss for me. So I was already so very tired and fatigued when I could have slept a little more.
On race day, after finishing, picking up my t-shirt, the woman asks me if I got one already as if I am going to steal a second shirt, I just ran the race and I am wearing shorts and a run tank where and how would I have a shirt to hide?
(I wanted to tell her no, and keep the ugly shirt.)
Note: they don’t tell you that the race route no longer goes through the military ship base, until you already signed up. This was a major reason I signed up for the 10K.
Overall, I thought the band was great and I thank the volunteers handing out water. But unless changes are made to improve, I really don’t want to waste my am. Probably won’t sign up again.
Underwhelming - Looped Course
They changed the 10K at the last minute from an out a back to two 5K loops. All 5K runners and walkers start together and run the same course starting … MORE
They changed the 10K at the last minute from an out a back to two 5K loops. All 5K runners and walkers start together and run the same course starting at 8pm. They said it was a field of over 3800 so if was a very bad running experience, especially on the second loop. Getting through the walkers and other 5 K was difficult, again especially at the hairpin turn- which also had a water station 25 feet after the turn.
Low Key and Fun
This locale race is fun without a lot of frills. It is definitely a PR course. Its a fun inexpensive race that helps the community. Don't expect a lot of … MORE
This locale race is fun without a lot of frills. It is definitely a PR course. Its a fun inexpensive race that helps the community. Don’t expect a lot of food trucks and beer gardens. You finish along the beach, right near a cute strip of local beachside restaurants. Only caution is that the start is a bit hectic. 5K runners, 10K runners and walker may all start at the same time. So if you’re a speedster, be sure to get to the front of the line.
Beautiful Run
I ran this run a bit injured (as long as I run I will never bowl again!) but it's a good run I didn't want to pass up. It takes … MORE
I ran this run a bit injured (as long as I run I will never bowl again!) but it’s a good run I didn’t want to pass up. It takes place in Seal Beach and is a proud city tradition going back years. It takes place near the Main Street area and parking is very sketchy. I ended up parking a mile away from the start and 2 miles away from the finish line so I got a bit of a walk in along with my run.
I picked up my T-Shirt and Bib the day before at the community center and I am glad I did due to the walk the day of the race.
The kids’ race takes place at 7:30am and the 5k/10k race waves start at 8am by the community center location. There was a chronic problem with the microphones cutting in and out the entire time that was never addressed and added some confusion to the starting line. They attempted to line up runners by time but it was difficult to tell where they wanted us to go. Runners started from 3 different areas but merged together at the start.
There is plenty of room to run and the course is flat with some beautiful views of the ocean and the town. After about a mile the 5K and the 10k runners split off. The finish line and expo are located overlooking the beach. There are freebies and an area for kids activities along with your medal.
This run is part of the OC Race series – you get a special medal if you run this race, the City of Cypress Run in July and the Los Alamitos Race on the Base in February in succession.
Great community race!
Seal Beach does an awesome job putting on a community run that is welcoming to runners, walkers, families, dogs, you name it! I've run this one, I think 4 times … MORE
Seal Beach does an awesome job putting on a community run that is welcoming to runners, walkers, families, dogs, you name it!
I’ve run this one, I think 4 times now but finally did the 5k instead of 10k which I have to admit, is the better course. The 10k goes way out to Westminster Bl and runs along the non-scenic riverbed. The 5k is entirely in the neighborhood so it’s a lot more about the community/crowd support.
Though the course can be crowded if you queue up right, you can run this one pretty quickly (unlike many community races that are so full of walkers, strollers, etc that you can’t really run your pace).
One of my favorite community runs by far!
Beach-side Finish
Maybe it was the PR or finally completing the OC Race Series, but I really loved this race. You run past and finish at the pier and it's beautiful, even … MORE
Maybe it was the PR or finally completing the OC Race Series, but I really loved this race. You run past and finish at the pier and it’s beautiful, even though it was overcast. The route itself is an interesting mix of neighborhood, street, bike trail, and beach side with only gentle/mild inclines. It was a little snug on the bike trail – passing people was a minor challenge and a few bikes went past (not sure how I felt about that).
There were corrals separated by running speed, and I was told walk/run corrals after 9 min/mile, but I missed that. I did some weaving only for the first part, but once the 5K/10K separated, it was smooth running. I would recommend maybe not letting cars park on the side at the start.
The race shirt wasn’t the best or the worst (cotton T-shirt with a pretty Run Seal Beach logo), but I love that there was chocolate milk at the end. I picked up my bib the day before, but I easily could have done it the morning of. I did get there early, but parked right on Main Street, took a stroll down the pier, then walked a few blocks to the start line.
There are no finisher medals, in case that’s a deal breaker. Usually it is for me (I’m a brat, I’m sorry), but this was my third race in the OC Race Series (Cypress, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach) and so I walked away happy. I might even do it again since you get a bigger, shinier, gold medal for doing the series twice.
run Seal Beach
fun race, did this one with a group of friends, was a good time and right by main street so plenty of places to eat or grab a beverage after … MORE
fun race, did this one with a group of friends, was a good time and right by main street so plenty of places to eat or grab a beverage after the race
An OK Event
I appreciated that the parking was easy. The event wasn't as organized as it could have been. There was confusion at the start line. I couldn't hear the emcee. The … MORE
I appreciated that the parking was easy. The event wasn’t as organized as it could have been. There was confusion at the start line. I couldn’t hear the emcee. The route was ok…runners had to deal with car exhaust on Seal Beach Blvd and Westminster Blvd, but the last 2 miles along the river bed were good. There were only 2 water stations which wasn’t enough. T-shirts were cotton and just ok. All-in-all, it was an ok event.
A big race in a small town
Run Seal Beach has been a 'must do' on the Southern California running scene for almost 40 years. This race is fast and flat with your choice of the 5k … MORE
Run Seal Beach has been a ‘must do’ on the Southern California running scene for almost 40 years. This race is fast and flat with your choice of the 5k or 10k courses. They do it right by separating runners and walkers in different paddocks at the start so you don’t have to zig-zag around walkers and dogs for the first mile as you do in many other races. The event proceeds go to support the community and this race deserves the support of the community in return. I have run it every year for the past 10 years and have enjoyed it each time.
A must for locals
This race has been around forever and I wouldn't miss it. Run Seal Beach sells out every year and for good reason--a fast course, a great finish line expo and … MORE
This race has been around forever and I wouldn’t miss it. Run Seal Beach sells out every year and for good reason–a fast course, a great finish line expo and most of all a great staff that puts their hearts and souls into this event that benefits so many local organizations through the Run Seal Beach Grant Program. don’t miss it!
Great race for parents
You know how hard it is to find a race that has a kids' zone? As a single parent, it's not easy to find a babysitter to come over at … MORE
You know how hard it is to find a race that has a kids’ zone? As a single parent, it’s not easy to find a babysitter to come over at 6 am, so I try to take advantage when a race has a kids’ zone, and Seal Beach has the best.
There’s a kids’ race first, and they tear down to the ocean and are met by dozens of volunteers and steered into a kids’ zone overlooking the beach. They’ve got facepainting, games and plenty of supervision. The kids are wristbanded and pick-up is monitored. Extremely well-done!
I’ve done the race several times. The 5K stays west of the PCH and is a nice little cruise, and the 10K has a nice long incline past the base and up to Westminster Blvd and cuts down a bike/running trail and congestion isn’t an issue. The turn onto Ocean to get to the finish is a great 2/3 mile run with plenty of folks out cheering. The finish line area gets crowded, but there’s plenty of food and drink. I can’t recommend this race highly enough.
10K at the beach
Don't let the name fool you. You start and finish near water but you run away from it most if the time. Still great weather and that makes it a … MORE
Don’t let the name fool you. You start and finish near water but you run away from it most if the time. Still great weather and that makes it a great run!