The Avenue of the Giants Marathon is held in northern California's Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The course consists of a paved road that winds through giant redwoods.
The course is a double out and back entirely on paved roads. The roads are lined with 300 feet tall old growth Redwood trees. While these provide shade and keep temperatures cool all morning, please note that they sometimes block out GPS signal on running watches.
The Avenue of the Giants Marathon was the 149th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 129th largest in 2022.
This year 8.4% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8.9% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Avenue of the Giants Marathon the 216th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 163rd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 95.78 ranks it as the 400th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 30th fastest course in California.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Avenue of the Giants Marathon a PR Score of 95.78. This PR Score ranks it as the 378th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 29th fastest in California.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Avenue of the Giants Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 367 feet (111m) Min Elevation: 159 feet (48m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Avenue of the Giants Marathon
View available accomodations around the Avenue of the Giants Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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CS's review of 2024 Avenue of the Giants Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
Beautiful course amongst the giant redwoods!
The double out and back course makes it easy to know what to expect on your way back.
Merging with the half marathoners & 10Kers in the second half can be a bit crowded. Bless the aid station volunteers but at numerous aid stations they either weren't ready or the kids didn't actually hand me the cups!
Race director said to me post race "a shame you got into running too late." For context I won the marathon, in 2:34! Only my second marathon ever! Hopefully she resigns from her role. Why would you say such a negative comment to the person who just won the race that you put on?! Also no tape at the finish line or even a photo of me winning the race. Quite a bummer.
Anyways, I came, I saw, I conquered.
Race Tips
As the course map shows, it's gradually up hill for that first 10K. Second half is a bit more flat. The only noticeable "hills" is coming up over the final overpass at mile 23, but it's not daunting or long.
Weather was in low to mid 40s and the rain had stopped just before the race started, prime conditions in my opinion.
As another review mentions, the parking situation is a bit interesting. Everyone makes a left turn down a rocky/muddy single lane road out onto a rocky/muddy, dried up riverbed. Get there early and you'll be fine. At worst you're like me and tying up your shoes as they are counting down from 10 about to start the race! I did see some people hoping out & running from further back in the traffic towards the start line.
TG's review of 2018 Avenue of the Giants Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
It's amazing to run among the redwoods. The weather was perfect, about 50-60 degrees for most of the race.
The volunteers were helpful and supportive, cheering for the runners. But aid stations were not well stocked at all times. I'd like to see more than just bananas, oranges, and Gatorade but even the fruit wasn't always available near the end of the race. The last aid station had closed down completely by the time I got there and I was well under the 7 hour cut-off time. Port-a-potties were not very plentiful considering the number of runners. About 2/3 of the aid stations had one (and only one) whereas the rest didn't have any.
On the whole, a very positive experience but some room for improvement.
Race Tips
The course profile is spot on. The first 6.5 miles are gradual uphill, then 6.5 gradual uphill. The last half marathon is slight rolling hills and a good amount of flat stretches. The course is almost all shaded which provided a great run experience.
Parking can be tricky. Allow enough time and expect to walk 5 minutes or more to the start line.
kb's review of 2016 Avenue of the Giants Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Beautiful, peaceful run among the giant trees. This race is definitely a nature run. If you want bands, crowds and lots of spectators this is not the race for you.
The course has a good bit of elevation change but nothing too steep.
