Summer Coast Marathon Weekend

Summer Coast Marathon Weekend is Caren Ware Events' flagship race, offering four distances along the Pacific Coast Highway through Newport Beach — including Orange County's only oceanfront marathon.

Course Description

All distances start at the Newport Beach Civic Center. The Marathon and Half Marathon route along PCH and Back Bay Drive with sweeping ocean and bay views; the 10K covers the Back Bay Drive loop; the 5K stays within the Civic Center park grounds and Newport neighborhoods. The Back Bay section includes the course's only real elevation — a gradual half-mile climb near mile 9 of the full/half courses.

Elevation Profile

Elevation profile graphic coming soon — course is described qualitatively above.

Parking

Free parking at the Newport Beach Civic Center parking structure (600+ spaces) and overflow lots at Newport Harbor High School with a free shuttle running 4:30am–7:30am.

Packet Pickup

Two-day expo packet pickup: Friday, June 26 (12pm–7pm) and Saturday, June 27 (9am–5pm) at the Civic Center Community Room. No race-morning pickup for the Marathon/Half due to early start times; 10K/5K runners may pick up until 6:15am race morning.

Aid & Water Stations

Full aid stations every 2 miles on the Marathon/Half courses (water, electrolyte drink, energy gels at miles 13 and 20), water-only stops every mile on the 10K, one aid station on the 5K.

Medical

Medical tents at the start/finish and at mile 13 (halfway) and mile 20, with roving medical bikes and an ambulance on standby for the full course.

Awards Ceremony

Rolling awards ceremony from 9am–12pm as each distance's top finishers come in — top 3 overall and top 3 per 5-year age division for all four distances.

Volunteers

150+ volunteers needed across aid stations, course marshaling, and the finish chute. Volunteer captains receive a Summer Coast finisher jacket.

Race Day Schedule

5:00am – Parking & shuttle opens
6:00am – Marathon & Half Marathon start
6:45am – 10K start
7:15am – 5K start
9:00am–12:00pm – Rolling awards
1:00pm – Course closes

FAQ

Is there a time limit? The Marathon has a 7-hour course limit; Half Marathon 4 hours.
Can I defer my entry? Yes, one-time deferral to the following year's race is available through June 1.
Are pacers provided? Yes, pace groups from 3:30 to 5:30 for the Marathon and 1:45 to 2:45 for the Half.

⭐ This race has an average post-event rating of 4.9/5 from finisher surveys.