2027 Hoag OC Marathon Registration Opens Aug. 1

July 30, 2026

Orange County’s “first Sunday in May” tradition returns April 30-May 2 after selling out early last year

ORANGE COUNTY (July 30, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Registration opens Saturday, Aug. 1, for the 2027 Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival, giving runners their first chance to secure a spot in one of Southern California’s largest spring marathon weekends.

The 23rd annual event returns April 30-May 2, 2027, with the marathon, half marathon, 5K and Kids Run the OC events. Organizers expect another sellout after last year’s marathon and half-marathon reached capacity in early March, weeks before race day.

“The running community continues to grow, and more athletes are planning their race calendars earlier,” said Gary Kutscher, race director of the Hoag OC Marathon. “Opening day is the best opportunity to lock in a spot and begin preparing for the first Sunday in May.”

The event recorded a 10% increase in overall attendance last year and welcomed more than 50,000 spectators across Orange County on race day. Nearly 46% of marathon participants were running their first 26.2-mile race, reflecting the event’s appeal to both new and experienced runners.

Post-event research found that more than 89% of participants would highly recommend the Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival to a friend. The audience also represents an affluent market for partners, with 83% of runners reporting household incomes of at least $100,000.

Title sponsor Hoag has grown alongside the event during the past three years, using race weekend to connect its health and wellness mission with runners, families, volunteers and spectators across the region. Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available for brands seeking year-round engagement with the Southern California running community.

The event’s growth has also expanded its charitable impact. Runners raised approximately $500,000 for local and national nonprofit partners during the most recent race cycle, supporting youth services, cancer research, inclusive athletics and other community causes. The weekend also gives runners an opportunity to support charitable causes. OC Marathon charity partners have raised nearly $10 million since the event began and are expected to surpass that milestone at the 2027 event.

The marathon begins in Newport Beach and travels through coastal and inland Orange County before finishing at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. The half-marathon shares the scenic opening miles, while the Saturday’s 5K and youth events provide shorter-distance options for runners and families.

For more information about the Hoag OC Marathon, or to register, please visit ocmarathon.com.

ABOUT HOAG

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 18 urgent care facilities, 13 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet^® with Distinction hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.

About the Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival

The 23^rd annual Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival returns to the seaside streets of Orange County, California the weekend of April 30 – May 2, 2027. The Hoag OC Running Festival showcases three days of events, including the Hoag Kids Run the OC “Final Mile”, the Hoag OC 5K at sunset on Saturday and Sunday’s marathon and half marathon. The race is a perfect destination event for runners, with the beaches, theme parks and near perfect weather. A free two-day OC Lifestyle & Fitness Expo at the OC Fair and Event Center kicks off race weekend, featuring fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics. For more information or to register for the race, visit www.OCmarathon.com.