Surf City 10 Celebrates 70 Years This Weekend with Ainsley’s Angels

September 18, 2026

• Ainsley’s Angels to serve as official benefitting charity for milestone 70th running
• More than 10,000 runners set to take part in milestone anniversary weekend in Huntington Beach

HUNTINGTON BEACH (September 18, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Race weekend has arrived for the Surf City 10, which will celebrate its milestone 70th running with more than 10,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes descending on Huntington Beach for one of Southern California’s longest-running road racing traditions.

The two-day event will once again take over the oceanfront near the Huntington Beach Pier, highlighted by Sunday’s 10-mile, 10K and 5K races along Pacific Coast Highway. This year’s milestone celebration will also feature an expanded partnership with Ainsley’s Angels of America, which has been named the event’s official charity partner.

“Ainsley’s Angels has become an important part of the Surf City 10 community, and we are proud to expand our relationship by welcoming the organization as our benefiting charity,” said Julie Coleman, operations director for the Surf City 10. “This partnership reflects our shared belief that race day should be welcoming, meaningful and accessible to athletes of every ability.”

Ainsley’s Angels works to ensure people with disabilities can participate in endurance events. The organization pairs Angel Riders with volunteer Angel Runners and provides specialized racing chairs designed to meet each athlete’s individual needs.

“For many of our families, Surf City 10 is one of the most meaningful and beautiful races of the year,” said Tricia Benton, Southern California ambassador for Ainsley’s Angels. “This expanded fundraising partnership will help more athletes experience the energy of race day, the joy of crossing the finish line and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of the running community.”

Ainsley’s Angels’ signature pink racing chairs have become a familiar sight along the Surf City 10 course. During the past four years, proceeds from the event’s beer garden have helped the organization purchase four specialized racing chairs, which can cost between $1,600 and $6,000 depending on an athlete’s needs.

“The Surf City Marathon and Surf City 10 are two of our most important annual fundraisers,” Benton said. “Every dollar raised helps us create more opportunities for Angel Riders to move from the sidelines to the starting line.”

Benton’s 15-year-old daughter, Bailey, was born with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy and has participated with Ainsley’s Angels since 2018. She has completed 12 marathons and 25 half marathons and earned more than 150 race medals.

“When you see the bottom of Bailey’s shoes, you know she’s happy,” Benton said. “These races are some of her favorite moments.”

The historic event began in 1957 as the Huntington Beach Distance Derby and has grown into a two-day race weekend expected to attract more than 6,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes.

Race weekend begins Saturday, September 19, with the Beach Mile, a one-mile race on the sand near the Huntington Beach Pier. Events continue Sunday with the 10-mile race at 6:30am, the 10K at 7:15am and the 5K at 8am.

All race courses start and finish near Pier Plaza and travel along Pacific Coast Highway, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, Huntington Beach Pier and the Bolsa Chica wetlands.

“For 70 years, this event has brought generations of runners together along one of Southern California’s most iconic coastlines,” Coleman said. “Partnering with Ainsley’s Angels allows us to honor that tradition while continuing to build a race experience where everyone has the opportunity to participate.”

Registration and race-weekend information are available at www.surfcity10.com. For more information about Ainsley’s Angeles, visit www.ainsleysangels.org.