I really enjoyed this marathon, mostly because it is unlike any other I have participated in. The course is made of 2 loops, a 3 mile and 7 mile. To run the marathon you have to run a 3, 7, 3, 7, 3, 3. One aid table is set up in the middle at the start finish line so you pass by multiple times throughout the race. Nice beach path, not on closed roads so there is a lot of other stuff going on around you. I wanted to cross California off my 50 state list and this was an affordable, hassle free way to do it.