For nearly the entire route at this Southern California race, runners get the chance to make their way along the trails and highways that line the Pacific Coast Highway, within sight of the waves crashing along the beach out in the open sun.
The race takes runners along a very fast and flat course — out 6.55 miles, and back 6.55 miles — that’s considered excellent for both first-time half marathoners and walkers as well as experienced runners looking to set personal record times.
That’s the setup for the Seaside Half Marathon, which takes runners from the Emma Wood State Beach campground, and from there heads through the beach and onto the Historic Old Rincon Highway, which today is part of the famed Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1, that stretches between Los Angeles and San Francisco and features some of California’s most stunning coastline views and natural beauty.