Andrew Frantilla jokes as he carries his 4-month-old daughter, Gabrielle, over her first 5k finish line during the Surf City run on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Huntington Beach may be officially known for its surf, but on Sunday it was all about the turf in the coastal town.
Thousands of runners hit the pavement along Pacific Coast Highway, despite the threat of rain, for the Surf City Marathon, soaking in the ocean views as they participated in the full and half marathons and a 5K race.
“The start and finish on Pacific Coast Highway, under the palm trees with the pier and in the distance – there is really no experience like it, anywhere in the world. It remains one of the most popular in Southern California,” said organizer Dan Cruz.
The event, now in its 28th year, is a Boston Marathon qualifying event, so it brings out serious racers who enjoy the competitive aspect of the run.
Marathon runner Yuta Arai is just steps away from finishing the race as his legs buckle causing him to crawl and then roll over the finish line during the Surf City run on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. A half-marathon runner, right, shouts encouragment, (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surf City Half Marathon runners start their race on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A cellphone captures a picture-perfect moment before the Surf City Half Marathon begins on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ainsley’s Angels volunteer, Todd Corley, helps Cael Studebaker walk across the finish during the Surf City Half Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surf City runners get ready to start their race on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. The weekend event hosted a total of 18,000 people. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Teresa Rokos of Altadena plows through the finish line to take first place in the women’s division of the Surf City Marathon run on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Osvaldo Cerda of Montebello, wins the men’s division of the Surf City Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chase Lanning, 7, left, and Blake Blackwell, 8, peek over a fence to watch Surf City Marathon runners on..Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. The friends each had parents running in the event.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surf City runners are offered support from spectators on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Paws and feet hit the pavement during the Surf City run on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators keep watch for their loved ones to finish the Surf City Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators cheer on their favorite athletes during the Surf City Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gavin Boller of Yucaipa celebrates finishing the Surf City Half Marathon in a wheelchair on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kendra Lau is all smiles as she ditches her wheelchair and walks through the Surf City Half Marathon finish with Ainsley’s Angels volunteer Don Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of athletes competed in Surf City runs during the weekend event. Medals are awarded to the finishers on..Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Marathon runner Yuta Arai is just steps away from finishing the race as his legs buckle causing him to crawl and then roll over the finish line during the Surf City run on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Andrew Frantilla jokes as he carries his 4-month-old daughter, Gabrielle, over her first 5k finish line during the Surf City run on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Some prefer the shorter routes also offered and participate for the fun atmosphere, with the sounds of Beach Boys in the backdrop and a beer garden at the finish line. Others come to support cancer survivors or other causes, or use the race as a platform for a fundraising goal.
“I love the spirit of race day, all the people coming together. It brings people together no matter your age, ethnicity, from across the country – all to achieve a common goal,” Cruz said. “It’s such a special feeling at the finish line.”
It’s one of the more scenic marathon runs in Southern California, with runners passing surfers catching waves near the Huntington Beach Pier, all the way up the coast to Bolsa Chica State Beach with the wetlands as the backdrop, and back down the beach path to end at Huntington State Beach.
The race isn’t just a one-day affair, but was a weekend filled with festivities that led up to Sunday’s races.
The Active Lifestyle Expo kicked off Friday and ran through the weekend, and a day before the bigger races, hundreds of runners showed up for a “Beach Mile” event, a short jaunt on the sand to and from the famed Huntington Beach Pier.
All the lanes on Pacific Coast Highway shut down for the race, the smell of the salt-water ocean filling the air.
“You see the waves out yonder, it just creates a memorable experience,” Cruz said. “It’s really just so beautiful, the scenic course, running along the coastline.”
The supporters who line the course, cheering the runners along, also adds to the motivation to reach the finish line.
“Not all the athletes are professional runners. These are people you work with, people you go to church with. When they come out to give high fives, it’s such a positive atmosphere. It’s no wonder people come out to do this race, year after year. You’ll see a lot of young people doing the 5K, moms doing the marathon, dads pushing strollers,” Cruz said. “It’s really just a community spirit, a tradition.”
