Running Races in California
California has 861 upcoming running races scheduled for 2026. That is the 2nd-highest event count for running of any state. The calendar runs year-round — busiest in August through October, quietest in March, May, and June. No single city dominates the calendar. San Diego leads with 95 races, followed by Long Beach (81), Los Angeles (69), and Sacramento (38). The remaining 67% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.
Running races by month in California
Sep (152) · Oct (149) · Aug (133) · Nov (129) · Dec (72) · Jul (47) · Jan (46) · Feb (40) · Apr (34) · Mar (26) · May (22) · Jun (11)
Notable California events
- California International Marathon — Sacramento, December 15 — full marathon (Boston-qualifier course)
- Los Angeles Marathon — Los Angeles, March 5 — full marathon
- Bay to Breakers — San Francisco, May 16 — 12K road race
Showing 24 of 861
Running
Break the Chains: A Walk for Cult Recovery - 2026 International Cult Awareness Month
July 25, 2026
Lake Elsinore, CA
Running
Napa to Sonoma 1/2 Marathon
Napa, CA
Running
Napa to Sonoma 1/2 Marathon
July 25, 2026
Napa, CA
Running
LBC - Good Vibes Run 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs
Long Beach, CA
Running
LBC - Good Vibes Run 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs
July 25, 2026
Long Beach, CA
Running
LBC - Good Vibes Run 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs
July 25, 2026
Long Beach, CA
Top Cities for Running Races in California
Frequently asked questions
How do I find running races near me?▾
Enter your zip code on RACE or use the location-based pages at /marathons-near-me, /half-marathons-near-me, /10k-near-me, or /5k-near-me. We show every upcoming running event within your selected radius, sorted by distance from you.
What's the most popular running distance in the US?▾
By a wide margin, the 5K. The half marathon is the most popular distance over 10 miles. Each distance has its own hub on RACE — /5k-races, /10k-races, /half-marathons, /marathons — with live event counts and state-by-state breakdowns.
When is running race season in the US?▾
June is the single busiest month for running events. The June–October stretch carries roughly 70% of the year’s running calendar. December through March is the quietest period — most regions don’t publish next year’s spring races until late winter, so the calendar grows back as race directors finalize dates.
Which states have the most running races?▾
Ohio, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and California lead the country in upcoming running event volume. Every state hosts dozens of upcoming races — including smaller states like Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota. The "Browse by state" grid on this page links to a dedicated running hub for every state.
How do I register for a running race?▾
For RACE-native events, you can register and pay on this site. For events hosted on external platforms (RunSignUp, RaceRoster, and similar), we link you directly to the official registration page. Either way, you find the race here.