Ventura Marathon

Ventura Marathon is a point-to-point race in Southern California on February 21, 2027, with the marathon (26.2 miles) and the half marathon (13.1 miles) both starting at 6:30 a.m. Known for a fast, net-downhill course, it draws runners chasing a Boston qualifying time. The route begins in Ojai, passes through orange groves and paved bike paths, then follows the Ventura River Trail to a finish at the beach. The Ventura Running Club organizes the event, which has a reputation for smooth logistics, a strong local atmosphere and good participant gear.

Net-downhill courses are quick, but they punish quads that have never trained for descent, so add downhill running to your long runs in the weeks beforehand. Runners going for a qualifier should plan an 18-week build with marathon-pace work; the half is a strong option if you want the same fast profile over a distance you can recover from in a week.