2026 Oakland Marathon Set to Welcome Record Crowds to the Bay Area

March 16, 2026

17th Edition of Oakland Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente expected to sell-out with record event registrations of more than 11,000

• Expected sell-out and record event registrations of 11,000+ for March 20–22 event weekend
• Oakland Running Week returns March 16–22 to celebrate the East Bay’s running culture
• Oakland Health & Wellness Expo returns to the iconic Henry J Kaiser Center featuring health, wellness companies, members of the Oakland Sports Group – Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, Oakland Ballers, Oaklandish & Oakland 68s, a special panel discussion with Boston Marathon champion Desiree Linden, and more
• Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run presented by Kaiser Permanente to welcome 1,000 students from Oakland Unified School District
• PG&E joins as an official sponsor alongside returning partners Kaiser Permanente, Under Armour and more

OAKLAND, Calif. (March 16, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The 2026 Oakland Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente, is less than two weeks away from its 17th edition. The event, operated by Bay Area organizers, Run Local®, takes place March 20–22 at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts and is on pace to sell out at a new participation record, with registrations surpassing 11,000 runners. The Oakland Marathon benefits Stephen & Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation and is expected to raise over $100,000 from participant donations and event proceeds.

Runners from throughout California and the world will be participating in one of five events – Marathon (26.2 miles), Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), 5K (3.1 miles), and the Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run presented by Kaiser Permanente. The excitement kicks off with Oakland Running Week, taking place March 16–22. This community-driven celebration will highlight local running crews and businesses throughout Oakland each day, leading up to the opening of the Oakland Health & Wellness Expo presented and hosted by the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts on Friday, March 20. The two-day expo, free and open to the public, will feature wellness products and services, Bay Area teams and companies in partnership with the Oakland Sports Group, music, and more.

“The Oakland Marathon is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of the Oakland community, and the incredible energy that makes The Town special. Whether you’re running your first 5K, taking on the full marathon, or cheering from the sidelines, this event is about challenging yourself and embracing the journey. We can’t wait to welcome runners from all over the world to experience Oakland’s vibrant streets, passionate crowds, and one-of-a-kind race atmosphere.”

— J.T. Service, Managing Partner, Run Local Ventures

On Saturday, March 21, Under Armour will host its annual Oakland Marathon UA Shakeout Run, featuring a warm-up run around Lake Merritt and product giveaways. This free community event welcomes runners of all levels.

Once the Shakeout Run concludes and the Expo opens, the community is invited to a special Oakland Moves panel discussion at 10:15 a.m., hosted by GU Energy. The conversation will feature two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon champion Desiree Linden, alongside Rachel Konte, co-founder of Oakland’s Red Bay Coffee.

Then at 11:00 a.m., the Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run presented by Kaiser Permanente will turn the exterior of the expo into a celebration for Oakland students and families. Young competitors can challenge themselves with a quarter-mile, half-mile, or one-mile course around the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. The event will also feature sports activities, games, art, and music to engage kids of all ages. The fun run is free for all OUSD students and is expected to reach its 1,000-participant capacity.

“At Eat. Learn. Play., we believe every child deserves the opportunity to be active, healthy, and inspired. With the support of Kaiser Permanente, the Kids Fun Run is a chance for Oakland’s youth to challenge themselves, build confidence, and experience the joy of movement. We’re proud to partner with the Oakland Marathon to bring this incredible event to life and to support the next generation of runners in our community.”

— Chris Helfrich, CEO, Eat. Learn. Play.

On Sunday, March 22, the Oakland Marathon will welcome thousands of runners from across the country and the world to the start line on Lake Merritt Blvd. Oakland’s own Turf Inc, the acclaimed turf dance entertainment company, will get the crowd moving with pre-race warmups before runners take on one of the most scenic and spirited courses in the Bay Area. Full Marathon participants will also have the unique opportunity to run across the Bay Bridge—the only marathon to offer this experience all year.

Over 50 run crews and corporate teams are set to take part along with a record 500 registered general teams. Local Bay Area luminaries are also set to support runners throughout the weekend from start to finish in addition to toeing the line themselves, including rapper, producer & songwriter, P-Lo, an enormous supporter, contributor and participant in the local running community.

In the Elite competition, along with welcoming the Under Armour Velociti Elite team highlighting some of the region’s best runners, this year’s Half Marathon is also an official Pacific Association USATF Grand Prix event with $2,900 in prize money for PAUSATF members. In addition, podium finishers in the Marathon and Half Marathon will be awarded Golden Acorn chains designed by Malka Diamonds & Jewelry.

The celebration doesn’t end at the finish line. The Finish Line Festival will greet every participant with live entertainment from Bay Area artists, featuring Mistah FAB and friends as well as food and beverages from local vendors. This free post-race event is open to the public.

The 2026 event also welcomes PG&E as an official sponsor, joining returning partners Kaiser Permanente, Under Armour, Eat. Learn. Play., Zenni, PLEZi, Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, Visit Oakland, Fremont Bank, and GU Energy. The Oakland Marathon continues to be a celebration that is produced locally and enjoyed globally.

To learn more and to register, visit: oaklandmarathon.com

FULL EVENT SCHEDULE

Oakland Running Week & Race Weekend | March 16–22, 2026

* Times are subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, all Race Weekend events are at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts.

Oakland Running Week – March 16–21

Oakland Running Week is a community-driven celebration of the East Bay’s running culture. Local running crews and businesses host events across Oakland each day, building excitement for race weekend.

Monday, March 16

6:00 p.m.: Hella Bae – REI Berkeley

Wednesday, March 18

6:00 p.m.: Town Strides & P-Lo – Snow Park to Square Pie Guys Oakland

Thursday, March 19

6:15 p.m.: Oakland Track Club & Women’s Run Club East Bay Jueves de Tacos – Taqueria Los Cantaros

Friday, March 20

7:00 a.m.: Lake Merritt Run Club Donut Run

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Oakland Marathon Health & Wellness Expo & Bib Pick Up (free and open to the public)

Saturday, March 21

9:00 a.m.: Official Under Armour Shakeout Run – a free community warm-up run around Lake Merritt with product giveaways

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Oakland Marathon Health & Wellness Expo & Bib Pick Up (free and open to the public)

10:15 a.m.: Q&A with Desiree Linden & Rachel Konte (Red Bay Coffee) at the Oakland Marathon Health & Wellness Expo

11:00 a.m.: Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run presented by Kaiser Permanente (Ages 0–5, Quarter Mile)

11:30 a.m.: Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run presented by Kaiser Permanente (Ages 6–9, Half Mile)

12:00 p.m.: Eat. Learn. Play. Kids Fun Run presented by Kaiser Permanente (Ages 10–12, One Mile)

Sunday, March 22 – Race Day

5:30 a.m.: Gear Check, Solutions Tent, Team & Fundraising VIP Zone Open

7:00 a.m.: Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente Start (26.2 miles)

7:00 a.m.: Half Marathon Start (13.1 miles)

8:00 a.m.: Finish Line Festival Opens

8:30 a.m.: 10K Start (6.2 miles)

9:00 a.m.: 5K Start (3.1 miles)

11:00 a.m.: Rosaura Briceno-Tennant Volunteer of the Year Award

2:00 p.m.: Finish Line Festival Closes

FAST FACTS: 2026 OAKLAND MARATHON

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About Run Local®

Founded in 2012, Run Local’s mission is to inspire movement in your community™. It has produced events in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California, including the Oakland Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente (March), San Jose Half & 8K presented by Kaiser Permanente (June) and the Santa Barbara Half presented by HOKA & 5K (November). Each of its events celebrate the local running community, artists and the unique diversity of each region. For more information, visit runlocalevents.com and also join us on social @runlocalevents.

About Eat. Learn. Play.

Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is an organization dedicated to unleashing the potential of every child, paving the way for amazing kids and opening doors to bright futures. Founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry in 2019, Eat. Learn. Play. launched with a focus on improving the lives of kids and families in Oakland, the Bay Area and across the country. Rooted in three of the most vital pillars for a healthy childhood—nutrition, education and physical activity—Eat. Learn. Play. is working to ensure that every child in Oakland has access to the nutritious food they need to be healthy and thrive; resources to learn and love to read; and safe places and equitable opportunities to play. Follow Eat. Learn. Play. on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.