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2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon race photo

2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

USMay 2, 202742.195km · 21.1km · 10km
Jss3255 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Race date in 209 days
May 2, 2027 Sun
City · Distance
Arcata · 42.195km · 21.1km · 10km
Entry fee
$100Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenWed, May 27, 2026 ~ Sun, May 2, 2027See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 5, 2026
2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon race photo
Jss3255 · CC BY-SA 4.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Run through an old-growth redwood forest and along a creek in the heart of the state park.

It is considered one of the most beautiful course in the world.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

3 race reports
Ronald BinionRan in 2025
“Ave of the Giants Marathon 2025”

The author recorded their experience of personally running the 2025 Avenue of the Giants Marathon and their impressions of the course.

Read the original on Ronald Binion
Meg GaymanRan in 2019 · Finish time 03:11:51
“Overall it was a mental win and a good measure of my current ability.”

Meg Gayman finished the 2019 Avenue of the Giants Marathon in 3:11:51. She loved the shade and beauty of the redwood-forest course and the community feel of a small race, and said the uphills and winding roads in the second half called for careful pacing.

Read the original on Team RunRun
Jack K.Ran in 2015 · Finish time 4:02:53
“For miles it was like running in a green tunnel.”

Jack K. wrote about running among the giant redwoods on the Avenue of the Giants. He started walking at mile 22 but still finished in 4:02:53.

Read the original on RunningAHEAD

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

okkom717 · Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Marathon

Entry cost $100

Avenue of the Giants Marathon · until Dec 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Half

Entry cost $80

Avenue of the Giants 1/2 Marathon · until Dec 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

10K

Entry cost $60

Avenue of the Giants 10k · until Dec 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon course map and elevation

The 42.195km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:45
Time limit11:00 a.m
Show more

11:00 a.m. (reported)

START

Dyerville Bridge Overlook, Arcata, CA

Start · Google Maps

Cut-off
11:00 a.m. (reported)

Show more

The course starts on the paved Avenue of the Giants road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park in northern California.

The course follows a road alongside natural streams and through old redwood trees standing 300 feet tall, then returns along the same route.

The marathon runs the full course out and back twice, while the half marathon runs it out and back once.

The 10K is also held on paved roads.

The course has gentle uphill sections but is generally flat and fast.

Tall trees provide shade throughout the morning and keep the conditions cool, but they may block the GPS signal on your running watch.

The event will be held for the 54th time in 2027 and continues to operate independently and sustainably without corporate sponsorship.

A finisher medal is provided, and the marathon and half marathon have overall awards for men,

women, and non-binary participants, as well as awards by 10-year age group.

Typical race-season temperature: around 12°C (53°F)
Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Where and when to collect your 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

None — no train/bus/subway service to venue

Start and finish are the same point: the underpass where Bull Creek Flats Road meets Hwy 101/Avenue of the Giants,

inside Humboldt Redwoods State Park (~45 mi south of Eureka).

Parking is on the river bar about 1/4 mile from the start;

no public transit reaches this rural venue.

Rural Humboldt Redwoods State Park venue with no public transit of any kind.

Getting to the finish

Same as start (loop-style course, shared start/finish point)

Finish is at the same location as the start.

More details

No organizer shuttle bus found.

Runners must drive/carpool;

nearest commercial airport is Eureka/Arcata (ACV), about 60 miles north.

Source · checked Aug 23, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The race takes place on Sunday, May 2.

The redwood forest provides shade throughout the morning and keeps the temperature cool,

but the trees may block the GPS signal, so it is best not to judge course using your watch data alone.

Because the marathon repeats the out-and-back section twice,

use the course flow and course signs rather than your watch to identify the turnaround points and the remaining distance.

You can choose from the marathon, half marathon, and 10K.

Through January 2, Entry fee cost 100 dollars, 80 dollars, and 60 dollars, respectively,

and from then through the end of February they increase to 120 dollars, 100 dollars, and 70 dollars.

From March 1 through May 1, the prices are 145 dollars, 125 dollars, and 75 dollars.

If places remain, there may be an additional increase during registration weekend, so it is best to decide your schedule and register early.

Times are local to Arcata. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Time for you, before and after the finish

1 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Arcata Car Rental (Qeeq)

Compare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book

View on Qeeq
Hotels that make race morning easyDistances are straight-line from the start.View on mapEating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Arcata with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Distances and ratings for food and sights come from the place provider, and experiences are travel products in Arcata.

Total cost and budget for 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · YesimFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Arcata runners' room

Frequently asked questions about 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon

FAQ
When does 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon take place?

It takes place on Sun, May 2, 2027 in Arcata, CA, United States.

How much is the 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon entry fee?

The main event costs $100.

What is the time limit for 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon?

11:00 a.m. (reported).

What distances does 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon offer?

Marathon · Half · 10K.

What time does 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon start?

The race starts at 07:45.

Where does 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon start?

Dyerville Bridge Overlook, Arcata, CA.

What are the 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon cut-off times?

11:00 a.m. (reported).

When does registration for 2027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon open?

Registration runs from Wed, May 27, 2026 to Sun, May 2, 2027.

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