Races Marathon · Carlsbad, USA
Carlsbad Marathon
Carlsbad Marathon is a rolling marathon in Carlsbad, USA, held each January. Two loops from The Shoppes at Carlsbad, out and back along Highway 101 (Carlsbad Boulevard) by the ocean, with minor rolling hills and a few climbs. Cool at the start and mild later, around 8 to 17°C. The rises around Carlsbad are small but relentless — train on similar terrain and race by effort, not pace.
Page rebuilt 2026-11-14 · race facts not independently verified — confirm dates and entries on the official race site
When
January
next: Sunday 17 January 2027
Course
rolling
Marathon
Conditions
Cool at the start and mild later, around 8 to 17°C.
Racing this course well
Two loops from The Shoppes at Carlsbad, out and back along Highway 101 (Carlsbad Boulevard) by the ocean, with minor rolling hills and a few climbs.
The rises around Carlsbad are small but relentless — train on similar terrain and race by effort, not pace.
Getting a place
- How you get in
- Open entry: first come, first served
- Entries open
- Entries for 2027 opened on 29 September 2026
- Price
- $202.27 including processing fees, at the tier current on 13 November 2026 (2027 race)
Official Carlsbad Marathon site →Checked November 2026
Race day
- Next race
- Sunday 17 January 2027
- Start time
- 06:15
- Time limit
- 6 hours
- Also on the day
- half-marathon, 5k
The course in numbers
The course runs out and back along Highway 101 (Carlsbad Boulevard) with ocean views for most of the distance.
- Layout
- Out-and-back
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
Pick your goal for Carlsbad
Pace charts, weekly structure and timelines for the most common marathon goals:
The date shown is the one the organiser has announced. Change it if yours differs.
Build your training around Carlsbad Marathon.
RunV works backwards from race day to today. Your plan adapts when life interrupts, and you approve every change. It does not adapt to this specific course — the pacing guidance above is where the course knowledge is.
Everything above stays free and complete — this is an optional next step, not a paywall.
Asked often
- When is the Carlsbad Marathon?
- The next Carlsbad Marathon is on Sunday 17 January 2027 in Carlsbad, USA. It is held each January.
- Is the Carlsbad Marathon course flat?
- Two loops from The Shoppes at Carlsbad, out and back along Highway 101 (Carlsbad Boulevard) by the ocean, with minor rolling hills and a few climbs.
- How do I enter the Carlsbad Marathon?
- Open entry: first come, first served. Entries for 2027 opened on 29 September 2026. Price: $202.27 including processing fees, at the tier current on 13 November 2026 (2027 race).
- Is the Carlsbad Marathon a Boston qualifier?
- Yes. The Carlsbad Marathon is run on a certified course, so a time set here can be used to apply for the Boston Marathon.
- How should I train for the Carlsbad Marathon?
- Build for the course you'll actually race at the Carlsbad Marathon: rolling terrain, January conditions. RunV Premium builds a training plan around your goal time and race date, and lets you adapt it when life interrupts the Carlsbad build.
Not sure what to target? Predict your marathon time from a recent race →
More marathon races
Supplements research for this distance
Build for Carlsbad — around your actual life
RunV engineers your block backwards from race day in January — and adapts it when training doesn't go to script. You approve every change.
