The very flat fast Modesto Marathon course travels through scenic shaded historic college neighborhoods. Runners will then head past Modesto Junior College's west campus, and into the countryside viewing the Diablo Mountain Range, passing the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. The course then heads back toward town, finishing near the host Doubletree Hotel/Modesto Convention Center.
The Modesto Marathon was the 176th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 162nd largest in 2022.
This year 14% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 11.4% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Modesto Marathon the 155th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 99th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.47 ranks it as the 105th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 7th fastest course in California.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Modesto Marathon a PR Score of 99.47. This PR Score ranks it as the 72nd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 7th fastest in California.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Modesto Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 112 feet (34m) Min Elevation: 34 feet (10m)
Course updated 01/23/2024
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Modesto Marathon
View available accomodations around the Modesto Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
For a better mobile or desktop experience:
How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the Modesto Marathon in 5:26:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
Liked how there was people at every corner cheering you on and telling you don't give up. There wasn't anything I didn't like, it was a great run.
Race Tips
I would say run at what ever pace makes you feel comfortable like some people do a slow jog, some do a fast jog, some people sprint like ⟟ recommend trying to keep a slow run or jog but don't stop moving. Expect a lot of people and try and get there early so you can get parking and stretch.
I would say Parkin a parking garage and try and get there about a 1-2 before so you have time to warm up and stretch take pictures etc
Anonymous's review of 2019 Modesto Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Super flat out and back, the two hills are crazy short and took only a couple minutes to do. You have a ton of shade the first 70% of the course and also low wind in the morning with a high percent chance that the wind will be blowing at your back (eastward) when you turn around and head back
Race Tips
-Lots of crowding from walkers and half marathoners at the end. I was trying to run a BQ and kept having to weave between them. Definitely slowed me down but I got the BQ so 🤷 -Definitely use a portapotty early, there were massive lines 15min before start time
Larry Weisenthal's review of 2018 Modesto Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Flat out and back course. Only two short climbs. After the first couple of miles, lots of room to run or run/walk. Most of the race has a very rural feel to it ... mountains in the background; a thousand almond trees with beautiful white blossoms along the way. Uncrowded town, with some decent restaurants and entertainment venues in the area of the race start and finish. Only real complaint was that there were insufficient numbers of porta potties for the first 10K of the race, where the marathoners and half marathoners "competed" for their use. My suggestion would be to send the half marathoners off one half hour AFTER the start of the marathon, instead of sending both groups off together.
