2XU Long Beach Marathon Draws Record Field

October 6, 2025

Hometown Spirit Shines as Paige Moore, Esteban Prado emerge victorious; 25,000 entrants filled the streets for a scenic weekend of fitness and community celebration

25,000 runners filled the streets for a scenic weekend of fitness and community celebration

LONG BEACH  (October 6, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Running her first marathon, 24-year-old Paige Moore didn’t know what to expect. She didn’t know how her body would respond, if the fatigue would unravel her mentally, or even if she would finish. She certainly didn’t expect to win the 41st 2XU Long Beach Marathon.

On a cool, overcast Sunday – Chamber of Commerce running conditions – Moore crossed the finish line first among women in 2 hours, 55 minutes, 13 seconds, more than a minute ahead of runner-up Selena Gallardo Dominguez, 30.

For Moore, it was the quintessential local-girl-makes-good story. She grew up in nearby Palos Verdes, graduated from Peninsula High, and ran collegiately at Cal Poly Pomona, where she earned a computer science degree in May.

“I never expected this to happen,” Moore said. “I was never the fastest, but hard work makes anything possible.”

Like most first-time marathoners, her biggest test came late. “My legs were locking up, but I had to push through,” she said. “Once I got past that, it was easier.” Moore now hopes to land her first job in tech. “This,” she added, “is a good distraction.”

The men’s marathon went to Esteban Prado in 2:26:32, three minutes ahead of Ethan Widlansky. “I always wanted to win Long Beach,” Prado said. “The crowd and conditions were perfect.”

In the half-marathon, Irvine’s Lauren Charlton won in 1:16:37, narrowly holding off Huntington Beach’s Hannah Chau. Charlton, who was born in England and won the Surf City 10 Mile in September, will make her marathon debut at the Surf City Marathon on February 1, 2026. The Huntington Beach race will mark its 30th edition, a milestone year for the oceanfront event.

“Long Beach is such a beautiful course you can’t help but keep going,” Charlton said.

Jaquavious Harris captured the men’s half in 1:03:53, the second fastest time in event history. The Utah-based runner, who has clocked a 3:56 mile, credited BYU coach and two-time Olympian Ed Eyestone.

“I’m grateful to be healthy and for the training group around me,” said Harris, a Saucony sponsored athlete. He praised the crowd and organizers: “Even the lead vehicles were cheering me on. They made sure I had everything I needed.”

In all, more than 25,000 participants and supporters filled Long Beach over the weekend – 14,000 in the half-marathon, 6,500 in the marathon, 1,200 in the bike tour and thousands more in Saturday’s Aquarium of the Pacific 5K. Among them was City of Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who joined his family in Sunday’s bike tour.

“This weekend was about so much more than 26.2 miles,” Richardson said afterward. “It was a celebration of community, wellness, and the race reflects the very best of who we are as a city. I’m grateful to the volunteers, staff, and runners who made it possible. Together, we showed why Long Beach is such a special place.”

The 42^nd running of the 2XU Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon will take place the weekend of October 10-11, 2026.

The 42nd edition of the 2XU Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon will return the weekend of Oct. 10-11, 2026, continuing a tradition that has become one of Southern California’s signature fall races. Runners can secure their entry through a 48-hour early access promotion now available online. Complete results, photos and event information are available at www.RunLongBeach.com.