RACE Logo

Running Races in California

California has 619 upcoming running races scheduled for 2026. The calendar runs year-round — busiest in June, July, and October, quietest in January, March, and April. No single city dominates the calendar. San Diego leads with 60 races, followed by Long Beach (56), Los Angeles (50), and Sacramento (31). The remaining 68% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.

Running races by month in California

Jun (106) · Oct (89) · Jul (87) · Sep (83) · Nov (68) · Aug (62) · Dec (41) · May (32) · Feb (18) · Jan (17) · Mar (13) · Apr (3)

Notable California events

  • California International MarathonSacramento, December 15 full marathon (Boston-qualifier course)
  • Los Angeles MarathonLos Angeles, March 7 full marathon

Showing 24 of 619

Marin Memorial 5 Mile
Running

Marin Memorial 5 Mile

May 25, 2026
Novato, CA
Memorial Day 5K, 10K & Kids 1 Mile Run/Walk
Running

Memorial Day 5K, 10K & Kids 1 Mile Run/Walk

May 25, 2026
Hemet, CA
2026 Foothills Strong Run
Running

2026 Foothills Strong Run

May 25, 2026
La Canada Flintridge, CA
Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 5K & 10K
Running

Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 5K & 10K

May 25, 2026
Laguna Hills, CA

Running

Glendora Memorial Day 5K

Glendora, CA

Running

Glendora Memorial Day 5K

May 25, 2026
Glendora, CA
Music in May Pop-Up Concerts
Running

Music in May Pop-Up Concerts

May 27, 2026
Santa Cruz, CA
Let’s Put the Cute in Charcuterie Board!
Running

Let’s Put the Cute in Charcuterie Board!

May 28, 2026
Coronado, CA
Shafter 5K Run - In Honor of Sgt. Moises Martinez
Running

Shafter 5K Run - In Honor of Sgt. Moises Martinez

May 30, 2026
Shafter, CA
Cerritos 5K Run/Walk Celebrate in Stride Moo-ve with the Herd
Running

Cerritos 5K Run/Walk Celebrate in Stride Moo-ve with the Herd

May 30, 2026
Cerritos, CA

Running

2026 Wolfpack Regional Modern Pentathlon Sanctioned by USA Pentathlon Multisport (USAPM)

San Mateo, CA

Running

2026 Wolfpack Regional Modern Pentathlon Sanctioned by USA Pentathlon Multisport (USAPM)

May 30, 2026
San Mateo, CA
16th Annual BEACHFRONT RUN
Running

16th Annual BEACHFRONT RUN

May 30, 2026
Ventura, CA
Run Back to the 80s
Running

Run Back to the 80s

May 30, 2026
Clovis, CA
Eastern Sierra Double Century
Running

Eastern Sierra Double Century

May 30, 2026
Bishop, CA

Running

5th Annual ProYouth Color Run

Visalia, CA

Running

5th Annual ProYouth Color Run

May 30, 2026
Visalia, CA
Healing Hearts Day 2026: Walk/Run/MOVE! for Suicide Prevention
Running

Healing Hearts Day 2026: Walk/Run/MOVE! for Suicide Prevention

May 30, 2026
Oakland, CA
Puppies & Beer 5K - Venice Beach, CA
Running

Puppies & Beer 5K - Venice Beach, CA

May 30, 2026
Venice, CA

Running

TSCL 4th Annual Mental Health 5K Run & Walk

Claremont, CA

Running

TSCL 4th Annual Mental Health 5K Run & Walk

May 30, 2026
Claremont, CA
Hills Are Alive Run/Walk
Running

Hills Are Alive Run/Walk

May 30, 2026
Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Race for Education
Running

Race for Education

May 30, 2026
Paramount, CA
Big River Adventure
Running

Big River Adventure

May 30, 2026
Mendocino, CA
Beer City Half™ San Jose
Running

Beer City Half™ San Jose

May 30, 2026
San Jose, CA
San Mateo PAL's 5K & 10K Run/Walk and Wellness Fair - 2026
Running

San Mateo PAL's 5K & 10K Run/Walk and Wellness Fair - 2026

May 30, 2026
San Mateo, CA
Run into Summer Vibes 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon
Running

Run into Summer Vibes 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon

May 30, 2026
Venice Beach, CA
Rainbow Run, Rock & Roll
Running

Rainbow Run, Rock & Roll

May 31, 2026
Truckee, CA

Running Races in Nearby States

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.