Avenue des Géants

Avenue des Géants is held in Crescent City, California, on May 3, 2027, among the giant redwood forests that give the event its name. Three distances are offered: a 10K, a half marathon (13.1 miles), and a marathon (26.2 miles), so you can pick a format that matches your level. The route passes through a wooded public park, and you spend the race under the canopy of some of the tallest trees in the world.

Shaded, forested courses are kind to runners in the ways that matter: cooler air, softer light, and a rhythm that is easy to settle into. The marathon suits a first attempt at the distance if you build for 16 to 18 weeks with a weekly long run reaching 18 to 20 miles, while the half is the better pick if your longest run so far is closer to 10 miles. The 10K works as a morning effort that leaves the rest of the day free among the redwoods. Start times have not been announced.