Fastest marathons in California
The California marathons where finishers run fastest, ranked by median finish time over each race's last three years of results.
- 13:46:27median finish
- 24:11:21median finish
- 34:13:58median finish
- 44:15:58median finish
- 54:21:42median finish
- 6Surf City USA Marathon / Pacific ShorelineHuntington Beach5,072 finishers over 3 yearsLast run Feb 1, 20264:26:34median finish
- 74:30:45median finish
- 84:31:29median finish
- 94:33:08median finish
- 104:48:49median finish
- 114:51:08median finish
- 125:15:14median finish
Fastest marathons by state
Common questions
What is the fastest marathon in California?
By the results we track, California International Marathon in Folsom To Sacramento: its median finisher runs 3:46:27, 8:38 per mile, over its last 3 years. Next is Napa Valley Marathon at 4:11:21.
How are the races ranked?
By the median finish time of each race's last three years of results: the time half its finishers beat. A race needs at least 200 finishers to be ranked. It reflects the course, the usual weather and who enters: races that draw serious runners rank high.
Which marathon is best for a personal record?
Look for a flat course, a cool race morning and a field near your pace, so you have people to run with. The races here are where finishers run fastest; check each one's course and weather, shown in its listing.
Chasing a Boston qualifier? See the marathons where the most runners qualify →