When in May are most half marathons held?
The busiest weekend in California is May 8 and May 9, with 8 of them, 7 of those on Saturday, May 8. Every one of them is on a Saturday or a Sunday.
Race calendar · May 2027 · California
Half Marathons in California in May 2027
Every Half Marathon in California in May 2027, all 25 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
What the field actually runs
May Half Marathons, By the Numbers
2:17:31Median finish time
1:24:42Median winning time
225Median field size
9May half marathons with published results
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.
When in May
The May Race Weekends
Half marathons are not spread evenly across May. Here is how the calendar actually falls, weekend by weekend, which is the part worth knowing before you book a trip or plan a taper around one.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The May half marathons that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
California Half Marathons by City in May
All Half Marathons in California in May
25 total Sat, May 1, 2027Run, Fiesta, Repeat - Cinco de Mayo 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon Long Beach, CAFrom $45Details Sun, May 2, 2027The Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival Costa Mesa, CAFrom $144Details Sun, May 2, 20272027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon Arcata, CAFrom $80Details Sun, May 2, 2027May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon Long Beach, CAFrom $65Details Sat, May 8, 2027Grizzly Peak Trail Run (Postponed until 2028) Berkeley, CAFrom $70Details Sat, May 8, 2027Beer City Half™ Sacramento Sacramento, CAFrom $88Details Sat, May 8, 2027City Impact's 17th Annual BEACHFRONT RUN Ventura, CAFrom $85Details Sat, May 8, 2027Run for Chocolate 5k/10k/13.1 LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 8, 2027Run for Chocolate 5k/10k/13.1 SACRAMENTO Sacramento, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 8, 2027Run for Chocolate 5k/10k/13.1 SAN DIEGO San Diego, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 8, 2027Run for Chocolate 5k/10k/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco, CAFrom $45Register Sun, May 9, 2027Long Beach Mother's Day Bloom & Zoom 5K, 10K, Half Marathon Long Beach, CAFrom $57Details Sat, May 15, 202714th Annual Luc's Run Tuolumne, CAFrom $40Details Sat, May 15, 2027Wildcat El Sobrante, CARegistration opens Dec 1From $45Details Sat, May 15, 2027La Jolla Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K La Jolla, CAFrom $149Details Sat, May 15, 2027Wild Rose Half Marathon & 5K Folsom, CAFrom $80Details Sun, May 16, 2027La Noche de La Llorona Run SummerWeen Series 5K 10K Half Long Beach, CAFrom $63Details Sun, May 23, 2027Diablo Trail Run Clayton, CAFrom $70Details Sat, May 29, 2027Beer City Half™ San Jose San Jose, CAFrom $95Details Sat, May 29, 2027SuperHeroes Run LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 29, 2027SuperHeroes Run LAS VEGAS Las Vegas, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 29, 2027SuperHeroes Run SACRAMENTO Sacramento, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 29, 2027SuperHeroes Run SAN DIEGO San Diego, CAFrom $45Register Sat, May 29, 2027SuperHeroes Run SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco, CAFrom $45Register Sun, May 30, 2027Cinderella Trail Run Oakland, CAFrom $70Details
Common Questions About Running a May Half Marathon in California
What is a good Half Marathon time?
Across the 9 of these May half marathons with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 2:17:31, and the median winning time was 1:24:42. So anything under 2:17:31 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.
How big is a typical May Half Marathon field?
The median one finished 225 runners, across the 9 of these May half marathons with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 4:53:51.
Are there trail half marathons in California in May?
Yes, one race around California gets you off the pavement: 1 is a trail race.