Long Beach Marathon Returns for Its 42nd Running |
What began with a group of local runners more than four decades ago has grown into one of Long Beach's largest annual sporting events and a way for runners to turn their miles into support for charitable causes. |
Before sunrise on October 11, thousands of runners will gather along the Long Beach waterfront. Some will be chasing a personal record. Some will be attempting 26.2 miles for the first time. And some will be running for someone they love.
The Long Beach Marathon returns October 10 and 11 for its 42nd running, bringing the marathon, half marathon and Aquarium of the Pacific 5K to the city for a weekend that has become much more than a race.
Through its charity program, runners can also use the event to raise money for causes important to them. That includes the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation Endurance Series, which gives participants an opportunity to raise money in honor or memory of people whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The Long Beach Marathon Started With a Simple Idea in 1982
The story of the Long Beach Marathon goes back to 1982, when a group of local Young Men's Christian Association members who enjoyed running marathons around the country asked a simple question: Why not have one in their own city?
About 1,600 runners participated in that first Long Beach Marathon. More than four decades later, the event has grown into one of Southern California's major running weekends, attracting thousands of runners to Long Beach and turning the city's coastline, waterfront and neighborhoods into part of the course.
The race has survived changes, growth and even a roughly three year interruption during the 1990s. A small group of dedicated runners continued running the 26.2 mile distance during that gap to preserve their personal Long Beach streaks. The marathon eventually returned and continued growing into the citywide event Long Beach knows today.
Long Beach Marathon Runners Can Turn Miles Into Support for Cancer Research
For some runners, crossing the finish line is only part of the reason they are there.
The American Cancer Society is part of the marathon's charity program through DetermiNation, its endurance fundraising program. Participants can create fundraising pages and run in honor of a cancer survivor, someone currently fighting the disease or someone they have lost.
The idea is to turn the personal challenge of completing a race into something larger. Money raised through DetermiNation supports the American Cancer Society's work fighting cancer while giving runners another reason to keep moving when the miles become difficult.
The Races Are Sold Out, But You Can Still Support the Cause
The 2026 Long Beach Marathon, Half Marathon and Aquarium of the Pacific 5K are officially sold out. Runners interested in participating next year can sign up for early access to the 2027 event.
But you do not have to be running to support the charitable side of marathon weekend. The American Cancer Society's DetermiNation Endurance Series uses events like the Long Beach Marathon to raise money in the fight against cancer. Supporters can contribute to fundraising efforts and help runners who are participating in honor or memory of someone touched by cancer.
American Cancer Society DetermiNation
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