California Marathon: Elevation Profile, Course Map & Pace Calculator
Run since 1983 from Folsom Dam to the State Capitol, Sacramento's flagship and one of the country's most reliable Boston qualifiers. The point-to-point course drops about 90 m over its length, with gentle rollers giving way to a flat run-in past Capitol Park. Cool, often foggy morning conditions.
The California Marathon is fast, with only modest elevation change — rated 2/5 on our difficulty scale. Over the official 42.195 km (26.2 mi) the course gains about 590 ft (180 m) and loses 930 ft (280 m), with a net drop of 104 m (341 ft). Grade-adjusted pace says the toughest stretch arrives at kilometre 18 (near mile 11), demanding about 7% more effort than the same distance on flat ground. The steepest pitch on course reaches 6.2%.
Course stats
| Distance | 26.2 mi (42.195 km) |
|---|---|
| Location | Sacramento, CA, USA |
| Total ascent | 590 ft (180 m) |
| Total descent | 930 ft (280 m) |
| Net elevation | -341 ft (-104 m) |
| Steepest grade | 6.2% |
| Difficulty | 2/5 |
| Field size | ≈9,000 runners |
| Race day | First Sunday of December |
Mile-by-mile splits (grade-adjusted)
Grade-adjusted (GAP) splits for a 4:00:00 finish, computed from the course's elevation profile with the Minetti gradient-cost model: uphill miles get more time, downhills less, at even effort. Splits scale proportionally for any other goal time — the interactive pace calculator on this page computes them exactly.
| Mile | GAP pace /mi | GAP pace /km | Elev Δ | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:39 | 5:23 | -67 ft (-20 m) | 8:39 |
| 2 | 9:25 | 5:51 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 18:05 |
| 3 | 8:48 | 5:28 | -52 ft (-16 m) | 26:52 |
| 4 | 9:04 | 5:38 | -22 ft (-7 m) | 35:56 |
| 5 | 9:08 | 5:40 | -15 ft (-5 m) | 45:04 |
| 6 | 9:11 | 5:42 | -9 ft (-3 m) | 54:15 |
| 7 | 9:15 | 5:45 | -5 ft (-1 m) | 1:03:30 |
| 8 | 9:15 | 5:45 | -4 ft (-1 m) | 1:12:45 |
| 9 | 9:35 | 5:57 | +33 ft (+10 m) | 1:22:20 |
| 10 | 8:59 | 5:35 | -31 ft (-10 m) | 1:31:18 |
| 11 | 8:53 | 5:31 | -52 ft (-16 m) | 1:40:11 |
| 12 | 9:15 | 5:45 | -8 ft (-3 m) | 1:49:26 |
| 13 | 9:15 | 5:45 | -3 ft (-1 m) | 1:58:41 |
| 14 | 9:07 | 5:40 | -15 ft (-5 m) | 2:07:48 |
| 15 | 9:22 | 5:49 | +12 ft (+4 m) | 2:17:10 |
| 16 | 9:06 | 5:39 | -17 ft (-5 m) | 2:26:16 |
| 17 | 8:57 | 5:34 | -32 ft (-10 m) | 2:35:13 |
| 18 | 9:10 | 5:42 | -11 ft (-3 m) | 2:44:23 |
| 19 | 9:13 | 5:43 | -6 ft (-2 m) | 2:53:36 |
| 20 | 9:07 | 5:40 | -15 ft (-5 m) | 3:02:42 |
| 21 | 9:11 | 5:42 | -8 ft (-2 m) | 3:11:53 |
| 22 | 9:15 | 5:45 | -2 ft (-1 m) | 3:21:08 |
| 23 | 9:14 | 5:44 | -2 ft (-1 m) | 3:30:21 |
| 24 | 9:11 | 5:42 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 3:39:32 |
| 25 | 9:11 | 5:43 | -6 ft (-2 m) | 3:48:44 |
| 26 | 9:15 | 5:45 | 0 ft (0 m) | 3:57:59 |
| 26.2 | 9:15 | 5:45 | 0 ft (0 m) | 4:00:00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the California Marathon flat or hilly?
The California Marathon is fast, with only modest elevation change (2/5 difficulty). Total ascent is about 590 ft (180 m) over 26.2 miles.
How much elevation gain does the California Marathon have?
About 590 ft (180 m) of total ascent and 930 ft (280 m) of descent, for a net change of -341 ft (-104 m). Figures come from a digital elevation model, so very flat courses can read 20–30 ft high.
What is the hardest part of the California Marathon course?
Kilometre 18 (near mile 11) is the toughest split on the course by grade-adjusted effort. Grade-adjusted pace puts it at roughly 7% more effort than flat running. The steepest grade on course is 6.2%.
When is the California Marathon?
The California Marathon is typically held on the first Sunday of December. The next edition is expected around December 6, 2026. Confirm the exact date on the official race website.
How many runners take part in the California Marathon?
The field is roughly 9,000 runners.
What pace do I need to run the California Marathon in my goal time?
At an even pace: 3:00:00 needs 6:52/mi (4:16/km); 3:30:00 needs 8:01/mi (4:59/km); 4:00:00 needs 9:09/mi (5:41/km); 4:30:00 needs 10:18/mi (6:24/km); 5:00:00 needs 11:27/mi (7:07/km); 5:30:00 needs 12:35/mi (7:49/km). On this course, grade-adjusted pacing shifts a few seconds per mile between uphill and downhill splits — the pace calculator on this page computes those splits for any goal time.
Plan your Sacramento race
Marathons with a similar profile
- Grandma's Marathon — 530 ft (160 m) ascent
- Twin Cities Marathon — 680 ft (210 m) ascent
- Honolulu Marathon — 440 ft (140 m) ascent
- Philadelphia Marathon — 740 ft (230 m) ascent
Official race site: https://runsra.org/cim/