Starting in beautiful downtown Ojai California, the course begins at just over 700 feet, gradually descends to sea-level over 22 miles, and finishes near the historic downtown Ventura, California Pier.
The course starts off with a 6 mile loop through east Ojai. This loop brings runners back by the start area which makes for great spectating as it heads towards mile 7 and the community of Meiners Oaks. After several miles, the course takes a right onto the Ventura River Bike Path to Santa Ana Blvd, a beautiful country road. After several miles trending downhill, runners begin to see civilization again on Ventura Ave. At Shell Rd turning onto the final section of our paved bike path and continues to Downtown. After a tour of downtown Ventura, runners make one of the final turns and come face to face with the famous Ventura Beach front. More than a mile of beach side running brings you to the finish line and festival.
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is one of the fastest marathon courses in the United States and Canada. If the weather is cooler and less humid than normal for race day, PRs and BQs are very achievable. Otherwise, the reasonably warm and humid race day averages may make it a little more challenging - especially for those not acclimated to the temperature on this very fast marathon course.
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon was the 50th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 42nd largest in 2022.
This year 24.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 28.3% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon the 21st highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 32nd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 100.64 ranks it as the 33rd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 4th fastest course in California.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon a PR Score of 99.93. This PR Score ranks it as the 33rd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in California.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 941 feet (286m) Min Elevation: 8 feet (2m)
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The first half of the course is absolutely beautiful. Ojai is beautiful, and I would love to go back and stay there. The expo was fine and uneventful, but the race store was too small and crowded that I didn't even bother buying anything. I knew this course was downhill, but definitely train your quads. The first half is faster than the second half - and you will pay for those fast downhills regardless. The biggest complaint I have is the lack of on course support. The aide stations ran out of electrolytes after mile 16. This was horrible - I was so dehydrated at the end and was relying on those stations. Also, I stopped at mile 17 to help a runner who collapsed. In the 30 minutes I stood there and called 911, I never ONCE saw on course support come by. This is unacceptable.
Race Tips
TRAIN FOR DOWNHILLS -- lunges lunges lunges.
Be prepared to carry your own nutrition.
I stayed in Oxnard and had to drive in race morning for the shuttles. .I took the early shuttle whichI was happy with since the portapotty lines got ridiculous. I would recommend doing that or staying in Ojai close to start line if you are able to.
KS's review of 2023 Mountains 2 Beach Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Downhill nature much appreciated. Not overcrowded. Organized start. I wasn't running for this but 28% qualified for Boston! One water station ran out of cups around mile 18, rest after did not though, not a big deal got water poured in cupped hands.
Race Tips
First few miles slight uphill (not bad at all), then mostly downhill (one noticeable hill around 16 and another at like 23.5 which was not too long but tough after all those miles). Was misting just before start. Near the water generally high humidity in am, true here as well, but temp was comfortable for me anyway.
Stay at the Crowne plaza the night before so you have just a short walk to the shuttle that takes you to the start, book the 5am shuttle unless you want extra time at the starting line.
Mike D.'s review of 2022 Mountains 2 Beach Marathon.
1 /
5 Stars
Review
Anything good about this race is negated by it being .4 miles too long. And, no, it's not just my Garmin; EVERYBODY had this problem. The mistake is within the first 5 miles, so we all spent the race complaining and wondering if the course would correct itself. It did not. The posted mile markers were consistently .4 miles late.
Note from the Race Organizers:
Message for the full marathon runners: After weeks working for you and you training hard for your race, we were in disbelief when we learned that the Sheriff had mistakenly led the marathon runners off the course resulting in adding 0.38 miles to your marathon race.
We share your frustration, believe us! There’s nothing more important to us than our amazing athletes. We know how hard you worked for this!
The good news is that we re-cerified the course immediately and USATF has confirmed that anyone who BQ today has qualified for the Boston Marathon!!!!
For the people who did not qualify, we will continue to address the issue tomorrow. However, we were told that by USATF standards we’re not allowed us to adjust the timing.
We hope you can understand that this was not an oversight on our part, and that you can still cherish your big accomplishment!
Race Tips
Don't do this event unless they 1) acknowledge there was a problem, and 2) swear, if not give evidence, that the course distance has been corrected.
Net Downhill. Could have been a screamer under right weather conditions.. perhaps do this early May or late April. Net average temp for a 4hr duration is about 65-66F with a dew pt of 56-58F... a 13s heat offset for the race. In addition the sheriff misled the marathon runners for a full 0.38mi extra right in the beginning. Organizers were able to recertify the course with USATF.. however no relief for runners who were narrowly missing BQ.
Race Tips
Prepare for the weather.. Could become warmer than you can handle.. particularly spring training will be in cooler climate and then you end with summer like conditions
The org changed/delayed the race date just over a month before the race, the race was delayed for 20 mins with no explanation other than constantly saying we're starting soon, and we were directed on a wrong turn which resulted in an additional 0.5 mile before we hit 3 miles, but they haven't taken responsibility for any of it, blaming most on other parties.
That aside, the course was on the bike path forever and that sucked. It was also a very sunny day with temps in the mid 60s and little shade (definitely didn't help that we started late).
3.3 Stars from 23 Reviews
