40 Open Entry Races in California and the US You Can Still Run in 2026
No qualifying time. No lottery. 20 California races, 20 across the US. From now through spring 2027. Every distance 5K to marathon, all USATF certified.
It’s race season. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to sign up for something, this is it. 40 open entry road races: 20 in California, 20 across the US. All USATF certified. All open to everyone, no matter how fast or slow you run.
The rule for everything on this list: no qualifying time, no lottery. You register, you train, you show up. Races run from now through spring 2027, so there’s a window for whatever you’re building toward.
A few notes. Prices go up as race day gets closer. A handful of these are sold out of standard entries but have charity or benefactor spots. We’ve flagged the status on every one. Click through and verify before you register. Race capacity and pricing move fast.
Flat, fast, USATF certified Bay Area waterfront course. Good summer tune-up option. Craft beer at the finish.
Golden Gate Park, across the bridge, through the city. Half marathon and shorter distances open. Full marathon sold out. Join the waitlist if that's your target.
Point-to-point through active vineyards. Half marathon sold out. Rosé 5K still open. Use code N2SRG26 for $10 off.
Wine country roads, mostly flat, multi-distance weekend. Half marathon still open. Full sold out, so grab the half before that goes too.
Coastal SoCal course from Venice to Long Beach. Three distances starting under $60. Beach finish in August. Hard to beat this value for a certified coastal half.
East Bay edition. Multi-distance format with a 1-mile option. USATF certified. Good fall training block tune-up.
One of SoCal's most consistent fall race weekends. City streets and coastline. October in Long Beach is as close to perfect race conditions as SoCal gets.
Central Valley fall classic. Multi-distance, USATF certified, point-to-point. Smaller field, less hype, faster moves through registration.
Orange County wine country, canyon roads, fall race day. Less crowded than the big city events. Certified, open entry.
Presented by HOKA. 13.1 along the coast plus a 5K and kids fun run. Sold out four weeks early in 2025. Expected to sell out earlier in 2026.
Sold out in eight days. One of the most beautiful half courses in California. Charity and Race Benefactor spots are the path in.
USATF certified East Bay course winding through Berkeley campus, downtown, and the marina. Mid-November race day with full fall conditions.
Net downhill, point-to-point, USATF and World Athletics certified. One of the fastest marathon courses in the US. All standard tiers sold out at record speed. Gold Entry Draw closed in May.
13.1 with a 711-foot net elevation drop along a rolling downhill bike path. A fast December half and a way to end the year with a PR attempt.
Coastal SoCal race down Carlsbad Boulevard with Pacific views for most of the course. Registration open early for the lowest pricing of the year.
Pacific Coast Highway through Huntington Beach on Super Bowl Sunday. Coastal, fast, surfboard finisher medal. Annual; 2027 dates expected to be announced.
Stadium to the Sea, Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. One of the most iconic point-to-point marathon courses in the country. Open entry, no qualifier.
Net downhill from Ojai to the Ventura coast. Known as one of the fastest BQ marathon courses in California. Annual; 2027 registration opens fall 2026.
Annual SoCal weekend with marathon, half, 5K, and combo challenges. Course finishes at OC Fair & Event Center. Open entry, multi-distance.
Balboa Park start, finish in Little Italy, live music every mile. Annual SoCal classic. 2027 registration opens late 2026.
Net downhill point-to-point through the old Iron Horse rail tunnel and along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. USATF certified. Cult favorite for PR attempts.
Big-city feel without the lottery. Welcoming crowds, energetic course support. USATF certified. Open registration, no qualifier.
Consistently called the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon. Lakes, parks, fall foliage, city streets. Open entry, no lottery, no qualifier. Register and go.
Flat, fast, USATF certified. A popular Boston qualifier attempt course because the consistency is that good. Open registration, rarely sells out early.
Point-to-point, significant net downhill, USATF certified. Runners who are serious about a PR target Steamtown specifically for the course profile. Small field. Open entry.
26th annual event with a scenic harbor course. USATF certified, open entry, multi-distance. Bring a crew at different fitness levels.
International Half crosses the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor and back through the tunnel. Marathon and Motor City Half are sold out. International Half still open through Sep 8.
No prize money. No elite wave. Just runners. The course goes past the Lincoln Memorial and through D.C. landmarks. General registration sold out. Charity spots open through July 31.
Flat, fast, USATF certified. Open registration, no lottery, no qualifier. One of the most runner-friendly big-city race setups in the country.
13.1 through Savannah's historic squares, oak-lined streets, and a finish through Savannah Bananas' Grayson Stadium. Promo code available for $10 off.
Called America's Friendliest Marathon. USATF sanctioned, certified, and a top Boston qualifier course. Capacity limited but registration currently open.
Full marathon sold out. Half marathon and 8K still open. Certified course through historic Philly. No qualifier for remaining distances.
Full weekend on the Mother Road's 100th birthday: marathon, half, relay, and 5K through downtown Tulsa. Certified course, open entry, and a finish-line party that earns its reputation.
Florida's oldest marathon, 55 years running. Space-themed race day along the Indian River from historic Cocoa Village with a riverfront finish. Open registration with early pricing tiers.
55th year. New dynamic pricing model so the earlier you register the less you pay. Multi-distance fall race weekend in downtown Dallas.
No qualifier, no cutoff time, ages 7 and up. The course runs from Ala Moana through Waikiki, around Diamond Head, and back. Bucket-list December marathon.
Aramco Houston Half on Sunday Jan 17. Flat, fast, USATF certified. Registration runs Nov 1, 2026 through early January.
Tidal Basin, cherry trees in peak bloom, ten flat miles. Annual lottery for general entry; charity bibs available. USATF certified.
One of the oldest 10Ks in the country. Course goes through downtown New Orleans, the French Quarter, and Esplanade Ave. USATF certified. 2027 registration open.
Prospect Park loop course. NYCRUNS runs a clean operation: easy bib pickup, USATF certified, no lottery. The Brooklyn half marathon without the Brooklyn half wait list.
An open entry race means you can register without meeting a time qualifier or winning a lottery. You pay the entry fee and you're in. Most road races work this way. The exceptions are Boston, New York, and Chicago. Those require either a qualifying time or lottery entry.
For most races, no. Qualifying times are mainly required for the Boston Marathon and a few elite-invite events. Every race on this list is open to runners regardless of pace or experience.
USATF certification means the course distance has been officially measured and verified by USA Track & Field. This guarantees you ran the advertised distance. It matters for PRs and any future qualifying standard.
As of June 2026: San Francisco Marathon (half and shorter), Santa Rosa Marathon (half only), Californian Dreamin' in Long Beach, Beer City Half in Alameda (July) and San Ramon (September), 2XU Long Beach Marathon, Two Cities (Fresno/Clovis), Silverado, Santa Barbara Half (selling fast), Berkeley Half, San Diego Holiday Half, and Napa to Sonoma Rosé 5K. Monterey Bay and CIM are sold out, check charity options. 2027 races (Carlsbad, Surf City, LA, Mountains 2 Beach, OC, Rock 'n' Roll San Diego) are listed with annual registration windows.
Yes. None of the races on this list have a minimum pace requirement. Some have time cutoffs, usually 3.5 to 4 hours for a half marathon. Check each race's FAQ before registering if that's a concern.
Twin Cities (October 4), Hartford (October 10), Steamtown (October 11), Baltimore (October 17), and Indianapolis Monumental (November 7) all have open entry and USATF certification. Steamtown, Hartford, and Indianapolis are the go-to options for runners targeting a PR.
Full Guide
All 40 races in one formatted PDF. Dates, prices, distances, and direct registration links, ready to save, print, or share.
- 20 California open entry races, summer 2026 to spring 2027
- 20 top US USATF-certified races, no qualifier needed
- Every distance: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon
- Current prices and direct registration links
- Availability and status updated July 2026
