Fort Bragg Whale Run and Walk

About the Event

The 38th Annual Whale Run & Walk for 2026!
Fort Bragg, Ca is a small, picturesque city on the Pacific Ocean, nestled between sandy beaches and the redwood forest. We are the home of the world famous Glass Beach! Every year there is a huge Whale Festival on the 3rd weekend of March, and Saturday morning the Whale Run kicks it off! After the Whale Run there are events all over town, including a craft fair; guided whale viewing; clam chowder, beer and wine tasting, entertainment, and music everywhere. See the www.whalerun.org for more information and interesting facts about whales.

The local Soroptimist clubs have been holding this race for 38 years, with up to 800 runners participating on a beautiful day on the Mendocino Coast. The ocean and trails are as magnificent as ever and we know you will love the views and all the festivities in town on race day. All runners, walkers, and spectators will enjoy breathtaking whitewater ocean views (including whales) along this year’s new course starting at the Noyo Headlands Park (Cypress Street) on the Coastal Trail in Fort Bragg, CA

Here are the events you can sign up for:

5k-- runners will run north and turn around at or near Compass Rose.
5k-- "Fun" Walkers will follow the 5k runner's route.
10k-- runners dash north past Glass Beach then cross the beautiful Pudding Creek Trestle to the 10K turn around (10K map).
1/2 Marathon--same route as 10k but the turnaround is at MacKerricher State Park.
Kiddie run -- 400 meter run in 3 age groups (U5, U7, and U10)

There are multiple race age divisions. Note: under 16 run/walkers may enter any race division for a discounted rate at signup.

DOGS: We love dogs, but the insurance won't let us add them mixed with runners. You are welcome to walk your dog on the trails before and after the race (on leash). There's a dog park by the swim center on Lincoln and Maple, and there's a dog beach at the end of north harbor drive.

FAQ's: Click Here to go to the race website and find answers to commonly asked questions about the race.

Races Offered

Half Marathon Run

Mar 20, 2027

straighten

Distance — 13.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$45.00

Kiddie Race

Mar 20, 2027

straighten

Distance — 400m

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:45

sell

$10.00

10K Run

Mar 20, 2027

straighten

Distance — 10K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$45.00

5K Fun Walk

Mar 20, 2027

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$35.00

5K Run

Mar 20, 2027

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$45.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for March in Fort Bragg.

thermostat Temperature

6.8° / 11.2°

wb_sunny Feels like

2.4° / 7.9°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

7h 46m

water_drop Avg rainfall

9.5 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

0.2 cm

air Avg wind speed

16.1 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Low

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (4.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

83.6%

wb_twilight Sunrise

07:23

nightlight Sunset

19:22

About Fort Bragg

Learn more about the host city, Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg is an isolated town of 7,000 people (2020) on California's North Coast. It serves as the economic hub of the area despite the demise of its historic logging and fishing industries at the end of the 20th century.