Sightings of great blue herons, snowy egrets and brown pelicans are common lucky bird watchers can even spot a rare white pelican at the right time of the year. Bolsa Chica, along with the rest of Huntington Beach, CA, has some of the nation’s best birding! Nearly half of the birds found in the U.S. This 300-acre ecological wonder is a sanctuary for wildlife and migratory birds. The Bolsa Chica Reserve wetlands roll out to the right. Just past mile nine, take a right on PCH and absorb the energy from the ocean! Breathe in the fresh sea air as you continue north on the highway. Miles 9–15: Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Enjoy the ocean view all the way down to PCH. But take heart there are hundreds of kids at the park, waiting to cheer you on! They love marathon runners and get up early every year to come to the park, hand out water and yell words of encouragement! These will be your biggest fans!Feeding off energy from the kids in the park, head down Seapoint back toward the ocean. On this stretch, you will encounter the course’s only incline, between miles 3 and 4. Just past the second-mile marker, at the first retro surf band station, turn inland on Seapoint and head for Huntington Central Park. The next time you see it, you will be on the beachfront running path at mile 25! Look to the left to enjoy the famous Huntington Beach Pier. Running north, the Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street are less than a mile away. Start on Pacific Coast Highway between the ocean and the Hilton Waterfront Beach Hotel. Miles 1–2: Huntington Beach Pier & Main Street

– Steepest course grade is approximately 6% – Highest point less than 100′ above sea level – Official finish times, finisher medals, and post-race refreshments cannot be guaranteed to any participants finishing over 6 hours. Please see our Faq page for Clif shot zone locations and Aid Station details.

– Aid Stations include Water and Nuun electrolyte. – The course limit is 6 hours, a pace of about 13:43 per mile.

– Participant Limit - approximately 2,500 More than 2,000 volunteers and several surf bands will be along the way cheering you on and making sure you have plenty of nourishment and energy! Where else will you get cheers from a surfer? Observe native surfers in their natural habitat as you hit the beachfront running path at Bolsa Chica State Beach. This spectacular ocean front course is an exclusive Southern California favorite! Run by the famous Huntington Beach pier and continue through scenic Huntington Central Park.

Download surf city marathon