Long Beach Half Marathon-Oct 11, 2026

Long Beach Half Marathon: A Race Day Worth Getting Up at 2:30 a.m. For

The Long Beach Half Marathon and Full Marathon took place on Sunday, October 11, in Long Beach, California. I had originally signed up for the full marathon, very optimistically, but with my left foot still recovering from plantar fasciitis, I eventually switched my entry to the half marathon.

As it turned out, this was probably the right decision for more than one reason. I had never run either of the Long Beach races before, and I wanted to experience the event, get a feel for the logistics, and see what the course was like. Now I can say that I’ve done it, and I would definitely consider coming back for the full marathon in the future.

A Storm Was Coming. Or So They Said.

In the days leading up to the race, the forecast was predicting severe weather due to an incoming storm. Conditions around Long Beach were serious enough that some areas had experienced evacuations because of shoreline erosion associated with high tides, strong winds, and rain.

So, naturally, I was preparing for a wet and potentially miserable race.

Race morning began at the thoroughly unreasonable hour of 2:30 a.m. I got up, ate something, and did a one-mile run at home before getting into my car and heading to Long Beach. The drive took about 40 minutes, and I arrived at approximately 4:20 a.m. My strategy was to get there early enough to beat the traffic and, more importantly, find parking without having to stress about it.

From the parking area, I walked about three-quarters of a mile to the staging area, picked up my bib, and settled in to wait for the race to begin.

The full marathoners started their waves at 5:30 a.m., while the half marathon was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. That gave me plenty of time to stand around in the early-morning darkness and watch the marathon get underway.

And honestly, it was pretty impressive.

Despite all the weather warnings, the event was extremely well attended. There were so many people, and the atmosphere was enthusiastic and energetic. The staging area was well laid out, and everything seemed well organized. Watching the full marathoners head out made me appreciate the scale of the event and left me thinking that maybe I should give the full distance another shot someday.

As for the weather? It turned out to be remarkably mellow. Instead of the severe conditions I had anticipated, we got overcast skies, a little bit of drizzle, and temperatures that made for pretty pleasant running.

I'll take that over running through a storm any day.

The Course: Bridges, Palm Trees, and a Welcome Change of Surface

The course started near the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. From there, we headed over the bridge toward the area where the Queen Mary is docked, turned around, crossed back over the bridge, and continued along the beach.

There were plenty of palm trees and some nice coastal scenery. With the cloudy skies and occasional light drizzle, the whole setting had a distinctly post-storm feel. I actually enjoyed it.

There was just one thing my feet weren't particularly happy about: the concrete.

For much of the race, we were running on hard concrete, which is not exactly my favorite surface when I'm still dealing with the aftermath of plantar fasciitis. My left foot has been making it pretty clear that it would prefer a little less pounding, thank you very much.

Fortunately, around mile eight, the course took a detour that brought us back onto the streets. That meant running on asphalt instead of concrete, and I was genuinely grateful for the change. The difference in how the surface felt underfoot was noticeable, and I was much happier once we were back on the asphalt.

It's funny how, during a race, something as simple as a change in pavement can suddenly become one of the highlights of your day.

My Very Fashionable Race-Day Accessory

Given the weather forecast, I had brought along my rain jacket. This seemed like a sensible and responsible decision at the time.

Unfortunately, because it barely rained, I spent almost the entire race with the jacket tied around my waist.

If you've seen the photos, you'll understand. It makes me look like a big dork.

But I stand by my decision. I had prepared for the possibility of miserable weather, and I wasn't about to complain about the fact that I didn't need the jacket.

In fact, once the race was over, I was very happy to have it with me. I get cold easily, especially after running, and by the time I walked the three-quarters of a mile back to my car, putting the jacket on felt like an excellent idea.

So, while it may not have been my most elegant race-day look, it served its purpose. Sometimes practicality wins over fashion.

A Steady Run, a Finish Line, and a Medal

I didn't run a particularly great time, but that wasn't really the point of this race.

Given the ongoing recovery of my left foot, I was happy simply to run steadily throughout the entire half marathon. I wasn't trying to force a performance or prove anything. I was there to experience the course, enjoy the atmosphere, and see how my foot would handle the distance.

And I had a good time doing it.

There's something satisfying about being able to settle into a steady rhythm and just keep going. I enjoyed the race, the scenery, the surprisingly cooperative weather, and the experience of being part of such a large event.

And then there was the finish line.

Crossing it and receiving my medal felt especially good, particularly after what had happened in Berlin just two weeks earlier. It was nice to have a race experience that ended on a positive note, with a finish line crossed and a medal in hand.

Sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely.

Overall, I had a really good experience at the Long Beach Half Marathon. The event was well organized, the staging area worked well, the atmosphere was enthusiastic, and the course offered some lovely coastal scenery. The weather turned out to be much better than expected, and despite the hard concrete, I managed to run the entire distance steadily and enjoy myself.

Switching from the full marathon to the half marathon was the right call this time. With my plantar fasciitis recovery still ongoing, there was no reason to push my luck just to stick to my original plan.

But now that I've experienced the event, I can see myself returning for the full marathon in the future.

For now, I'm happy with the half marathon, happy with how my foot held up, and very happy to have another medal to add to the collection.

And next time? Maybe I'll get a better time. Maybe I'll leave the rain jacket in the car.

Or maybe I'll just tie it around my waist again. Some traditions are hard to break.