Sports
Xavier Smith and Jules Madzia win storm-rerouted Long Beach Marathon
The 42nd annual race proceeded Sunday with a precautionary beachfront detour after coastal flooding and elevated tides.
Xavier Smith won the men’s division of the 2026 Long Beach Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 56 seconds, while Jules Madzia led the women’s field in 2:47:34, according to the event’s official timing results.
Men’s winner: Xavier Smith — 2:24:56
Women’s winner: Jules Madzia — 2:47:34
Date: October 11, 2026
Coastal conditions alter the route
Organizers moved about 1½ miles of the course away from the beachfront path near mile 8 because of forecast elevated tides and oceanfront hazards. The adjustment came as storm-driven surf damaged parts of the Long Beach Peninsula and authorities urged the public to avoid vulnerable coastal walkways.
ABC7 reported a record marathon field of 7,500 entrants and 16,500 half-marathon entrants. The official half-marathon results list Salvador Capetillo as the men’s winner in 1:03:51 and Bailey Hertenstein as the women’s winner in 1:12:13.
Sources: Official 2026 Long Beach Marathon results → · ABC7 Los Angeles report — October 11 → · Official marathon event page →