Holly Jolly Marathon 2026

1. Races always start on time!
2. Race distances are measured correctly!
3. Race SWAG including custom finishers medal, event day dry-fit shirt,  reusable goody bag and MORE!
4. Race day packet pick up available!  Time saver if you are traveling in from out of town! YEAH!
5. Have an emergency? Can't make the event you've paid for? No problem we will reschedule you for any Elite Sports CA event within the next 12 months. WHAT?? YES unheard of!! No more excuses, Register today!

A USATF-certified course is a road race course whose distance has been certified for accuracy.

Courses must be certified for any road running performance to be accepted as a record or to be nationally ranked. Furthermore, running a race on a certified course allows you to accurately compare your time to performances run on other certified courses because you can be sure the distances were the same. No one can truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate.

Why are there no disposable cups at the water stations you may ask? Cup-less water station video

1. Safety of runners and volunteers: We want to ensure the safety of all runners and volunteers by removing the urge to chase after a wayward cup into traffic.
2. Environmentally Sound Practice: In an average year we would have used over 60,000 cups that cannot be recycled. And littering is just not cool.
3. Healthier: Our foot pedal unit allows runners to dispense their own water hands free at 10oz per second and away you go.
4. We have a great option if you forgot your own cup: You can buy a reusable cup for $3 at packet pickup or race day check-in.

1. If I want to call you how do I reach you?
   Bill Escobar Race Director 805-258-3779 or bill@elitesportsca.com
2. I am not getting updates what do I do?
   Not getting our event update emails?   Most likely they  are stuck in your spam or junk folders.  Please add bill@elitesportsca.com to your trusted email address book or contacts and you should start getting them on a regular basis.
3. If I am not running can I participate by being a volunteer? Yes! Volunteers are greatly appreciated and needed! Please visit the Volunteer Info link on this site to get all the information needed on being a volunteer. Students please bring any volunteer hours verification forms you may have from your school.  Volunteer contact: Volunteer@elitesportsca.com
4. Is the course accurately measured and marked?
   Yes! This is a USATF Certified course.Cert #CA17064RS. Feel free to check it out on your own watch if you have time prior to the race. There will be mile markers on the course.
5. Will there be port-o-potties along the course?
   Yes! Porta Potties will be on the course about every 1.5 miles and at race expo area.
6. Can I walk the course?
   Yes! 7 hours to finish the marathon, that’s about 15 minutes plus per mile. Sooo... walkers are welcome, stroller moms, and walking clubs.
7. Early start option? 
   We are proud to announce a “marathon early start” option for the full marathon runners that need a little more time to finish and still be part of all the fun at the post race party. “Early Start” is at 6 am on race day; BUT you have to let us know ahead of time so that we can capture your bib number for the official timing stats. We will NOT have all of our water stations setup until about 6:30 am so you are on your own for water for the first 30 minutes. You must know the course (out and back course) if you want to use the early option
8. How far apart are the water stations?
   approx 1.5 miles apart.   Each station will have water (blue dispenser) and Gatorade (Orange dispenser) along the course.
9. When will the course cones be picked up?
   Remember you have 7 hours to complete this two loop full marathon.   Course cones will be picked up starting at 12:00 noon, starting at the last turnaround on HWY-1.   Please follow rules of the road after 12:00 noon.  The shoulder and bike path along the course are approx 25 to 35 ft wide in most places with plenty of  room to complete your journey safely to the finish line.
10. What, where, and when is Packet pickup?
    Saturday before the race - 10 am to 2 pm
    Ventura Fit Body Boot Camp
    4355 E Main ST
    #7-8 Ventura CA 93003
    805-363-6037
    You will be picking up your race bib number, timing chip, race day Tech t-shirt and other goodies in your bag from some of our race sponsors. This will be your last chance to register for this race, NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
11. Can I register for the race at the packet pick-up location?
    Yes! You can register for the race at the package pick-up there are NO Discounts Packet pickupand we only accept cash or credit cards, NO CHECKS. You can also register on line or by sending in the registration form. On line registration closes Friday at midnight.
12. Where do we park? 
    There is no athlete parking at the rincon on race day. There is plenty of parking at Shuttle pickup locations. Shuttles run from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm
    Shuttle pickup locations:  Ventura Unified School District (ESC) 255 W. Stanley Ave. Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93001   (Corner of N. Olive and Stanley Ave)
13. Can I pick up my race packet on race day?
    Yes! you can pickup your goodies on race day at the starting line before race start (free of charge)
    Special Note:  Please park at shuttle pickup location first and then check in at  the race start line.  Please come early because we have hundreds of people trying to get into the same area all at  the same time.
14. Can I pick up someone else's race items if they cannot make it out on Saturday?
    Yes! You can pick up a friend or relatives items bring a note from them signed by them that you are picking up their number.
15. Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
    Yes! Just send us an e-mail to bill@elitesportsvc.com and we will workout the details. DO NOT give your number to anyone else and let them run in your place, they will be disqualified.
16. Will there be awards given out to the race winners?
    Yes! Awards will be given out to the top 3 male/ female finishers overall and 3 deep in each age group.
    See age group chart below Ages: 0 -9 / 10-12 / 13-15 / 16–18 / 19-29 / 30-39 / 40-49 / 50-59 / 60-69 / 70-74 / 75-79 / 80+
    Awards:  Top 3 overall M/F in each race - Special Medal Top 3 each age group medals  M/F - ALL RACE DISTANCES
17. When will results be posted?
    Race results will be posted as follows: 5k preliminary results will be posted at approx. 8:30a.m ish 10k preliminary results will be posted at approx. 9:00 a.m. ish Half Marathon - 9:15 ish
18. Is there a refund policy for this race?
    Sorry, but there are no refunds! But you can defer your entry to another one of our races in the future.  Checkout - www.EliteSportsCA.com  and when you choose another race you would like to do just email us and we will get you set for that race.  E-mail - bill@elitesportsca.com
19. I don’t know the course. Should I just follow someone? No. All athletes are required to know the entire course prior to stepping onto the starting line. Please study the race course map on this site, and maybe drive the course if you have time prior to race day.
    

Finisher Medal
     

Premium Sublimated Finisher Shirt

Premium Hat

Free plate of street tacos (post- race expo)