The Full Marathon starts next in Downtown Long Beach in the same spot that the Long Beach Grand Prix racecars start. Runners enjoy the sunrise while starting their journey through the 36th largest city in the United States. After a slight climb over the Queensway Bridge, runners circle the picturesque Shoreline Park Lighthouse and around Rainbow Harbor. A slight ocean breeze and cheering spectators greet runners as they pass by the start and finish Festival area at mile 6.5. Three miles next to the Pacific Ocean and a CLIF shot at mile 10 prepare full marathoners for the miles ahead, but not before a visit to the friendly Belmont Shore neighborhood. After passing The Split, runners head to Marine Stadium, pass Blair Field and Wilson High School and head to California State University, Long Beach. The campus is alive with cheerleaders, the CSULB band, sports teams, organizations and clubs, sororities and fraternities, faculty and the school Mascot, Prospector Pete. A quick 5K and a few minor hills on campus leaves runners with only 10K to go. Runners head back to Ocean Boulevard and make their way via a downhill finish to the Finish Line Festival where they are presented with their hard-earned medal and a full post-race festival with a great band, a beer garden, and plenty of food.

Long Beach Marathon

Post-Race Review/ Results

Cheryl Smith won the 2009 Long Beach Marathon and draws an analogy from the race to living life. Smith hit life's wall through a recent divorce and said she can weather the mental and physical pain of a marathon and she can get through the tough spots in life as well.

Unlikely Olympic Hopeful Scores a Marathon Sweep

Human Interest Story

Gavin McKierman joined more than twenty-three thousand people who participated in the Long Beach Marathon. McKierman pushed his two children in a double stroller for the entire 26.2 miles of the race.

Long Beach Marathon a Place for Family Stroll

The twenty-fifth Long Beach Marathon kicks of on Sunday with the inaugural 5K being held on Saturday. The 7 am start for the marathon will launch thousands of runners down Shoreline Drive.

Runners' Weekend in Long Beach With 5K and Marathon in Town

A two person team consisting of Don Flaherty and Jill, who has cerebral palsy, will compete in the Long Beach Marathon in an effort to raise money for the Clinical Arts Program

Marathon Summary

Marathon Results