Which Malibu Moves Distance Is Right for You?
A Guide for Every Kind of Runner
You want to do Malibu Moves. You're just not sure which distance to sign up for.
Here's what we know about you: you have a reason to move. Maybe it's a finish time you've been chasing. Maybe it's a first finish line, period. Maybe it's doing something with your family that everyone actually enjoys. Maybe it's running for a cause that matters to you.
Whatever it is, Malibu Moves has a distance for it. The event is a two-day running festival at Zuma Beach, Malibu, on October 24 and 25, 2026. It's built for every kind of runner, walker, and family, and every distance gets the same celebration at the end. Here's how to find yours.
The Half Marathon: Your Fall Goal Starts Here
Distance: 13.1 miles | When: Sunday, October 25
Here's what a lot of people don't realize about the half marathon: you don't need to already be a distance runner to do one.
With enough time to train for 13.1, even if you're starting from scratch you can set this ambitious goal for yourself. Most half marathon training plans build up over 12 to 16 weeks, and the longest training run you'll do is typically 10 to 12 miles. Your body does the rest on race day.
If you've been thinking about doing a half marathon, this is the one worth training for. The Malibu Moves Half Marathon is USATF-measured and chip-timed. The course runs along Pacific Coast Highway with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Monica Mountains on the other. There are pace groups for runners targeting specific finish times (from 1:30 all the way to 4:00 hours), and every single person who crosses the finish line at Zuma Beach gets the same medal, the same celebration, and the same post-race festival.
This is the only half marathon allowed by the city of Malibu. Whether you're an experienced runner looking for a certified course and an accurate result, or someone who's never gone past a 10K and wants to see what they're capable of, this race meets you where you are.
This distance is for you if: You want to set a big goal and have the time to train for it. It doesn't matter where you're starting from. Six months is enough.
[Learn more about the Half Marathon]
The 10K: The Distance That Deserves More Credit
Distance: 6.2 miles | When: Sunday, October 25
The 10K sits in a sweet spot that gets overlooked. It's long enough to feel like a real accomplishment and short enough that training for it fits into a busy life. If you're someone who runs a few times a week, or you've done a 5K and want to take the next step, the 10K gives you something meaningful to work toward without the commitment of a half marathon training plan.
You'll run along Pacific Coast Highway with the same ocean views and the same finish line at Zuma Beach. Same chip timing, same finisher medal, same post-race festival. The 10K just gets you there a little sooner.
And if you're thinking about a half marathon down the road but aren't ready to commit yet, a lot of runners use the 10K as a stepping stone. Do the 10K this year, do the half next year. There's no rush.
This distance is for you if: You want a challenge that respects your time. The 10K is proof that you don't need to run 13 miles to do something worth being proud of.
The 5K: The Distance That Changes Everything
Distance: 3.1 miles When: Sunday, October 25
More running journeys start with a 5K than with any other distance. There's a reason for that. You can train for it in six to eight weeks. You can walk part of it and still finish strong. And crossing that finish line at Zuma Beach feels exactly as good whether it took you 22 minutes or 60.
This is the distance for the person who's been saying "I should sign up for something" for the past two years. It's for the runner coming back after time away. It's for the friend group that wants to do something together that they'll actually remember. It's for anyone who wants to show up and be part of something bigger than a morning workout.
You get everything every other distance gets: chip timing, a finisher medal, a race shirt, post-race snacks, and full access to the festival after. The 5K is an entry point, but it's not a lesser experience. At Malibu Moves, every distance matters equally.
This distance is for you if: You want to start. That's it. You don't need to be fast. You don't need experience. You just need to show up.
The 1-Mile Zuma Dash: Race Weekend on Your Terms
Distance: 1 mile When: Saturday, October 24
The Zuma Dash is Saturday's main event for adults and kids who want to be part of race weekend without the Sunday start time. One mile at Zuma Beach, a medal at the end, and then the rest of your Saturday at the Expo and Kids Zone.
It doesn't require a training plan. It doesn't require running experience. It just requires showing up and being part of the weekend. A lot of people use the Zuma Dash as their way into the Coastal Quest Challenge: run the Dash on Saturday, pick a distance on Sunday, and earn three medals for the weekend.
This distance is for you if: You want in on race weekend but a 5K isn't your thing right now. Or you're already registered for Sunday and want to add a Saturday run. Either way, you belong here.
The Kids Run: Their First Finish Line
Distance: 1K (0.62 miles) When: Saturday, October 24
The Kids Run exists because every kid who wants to run deserves their own race, their own medal, and their own finish line. It happens on Saturday alongside the Zuma Dash, so parents can run the Dash and then cheer on their kids.
The course is designed for young runners, and the energy is something kids talk about long after race weekend is over. This is one of those experiences that sticks.
This distance is for you if: You've got a child who wants to be part of something. The Kids Run is as much a part of Malibu Moves as the Half Marathon. That's by design.
Run for Something Bigger: The Charity Program
No matter which distance you choose, you can run it for a cause. The Malibu Moves Charity Program lets you enter for $0 upfront. Raise $500 and you receive the full VIP package, which includes race-day packet pickup, a VIP area, unlimited beer garden, catering, gear check, and post-race recovery treatments.
Every dollar raised goes directly to local organizations doing real work in the Malibu community: the Malibu Moves Community Impact Fund, Malibu Education Foundation, Emily Shane Foundation, Girls on the Run of LA County, and the Sarah Shulze Foundation. In our first two years, participants have helped us donate over $110,000.
If you already know you want to run, this is a way to make your miles mean something beyond your own finish line.
[Learn more about the Charity Entry]
Want to Do More Than One? Two Options.
Coastal Quest Challenge: Run on both Saturday and Sunday and you'll earn three medals, two race shirts, and beer garden access. You pick your Saturday distance (Zuma Dash or Kids Run) and your Sunday distance (Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K). It's the full weekend experience.
[Learn more about the Coastal Quest]
California Double: If you're also running Mountains 2 Beach in 2026, completing both races earns you a third exclusive challenge medal at the Malibu Moves finish line. Two races, two courses, one challenge. The California Double is for runners who want to make their fall and spring race calendar mean something together.
[Learn more about the California Double]
Still Not Sure?Here's the Quick Version.
I want to set a big goal and train for it → Half Marathon
I want a real challenge that fits my life → 10K
I want to start somewhere → 5K
I want a low-key Saturday thing → Zuma Dash
My kid wants their own finish line → Kids Run
I want the whole weekend → Coastal Quest
I want my run to support the community → Charity Program
Every distance starts and finishes at Zuma Beach. Every finisher gets a medal. Every participant gets access to the post-race festival with food, music, and wellness. There is no minimum pace for any distance. The only question is how far you want to go to get there.
Malibu Moves 2026 is October 24 and 25 at Zuma Beach, Malibu. Registration is open now.
[Find your distance and register →]
FAQ: Malibu Moves Race Distances
How long is the Malibu Moves Half Marathon course? The Half Marathon is 13.1 miles, USATF-certified, and chip-timed. The course runs along Pacific Coast Highway starting and finishing at Zuma Beach in Malibu, California.
Is there a walking-friendly distance at Malibu Moves? Yes, all of them! With the half marathon you have 4 hours (approx 18 min/mile) to complete it. With the right strategy, anyone can do it!
Can my child participate in Malibu Moves? Yes. The 1K Kids Run takes place on Saturday, October 24, and is designed for young runners ages 4 to 10. Every child receives chip timing and a finisher medal. The 1-Mile Zuma Dash is open to participants ages 4 and up. It’s a great opportunity for families, friends, and first-timers to enjoy the race day experience together along the beautiful Zuma Beach course.
What is the Coastal Quest Challenge? The Coastal Quest is a two-day challenge. Participants run one distance on Saturday and one on Sunday, earning three medals, one shirts, and beer garden access.
What is the California Double? The California Double pairs Malibu Moves with Mountains 2 Beach. Runners who complete both races in 2026 earn a third exclusive challenge medal at the Malibu Moves finish line
When is Malibu Moves 2026? October 24 (Saturday: Expo, Zuma Dash, Kids Run) and October 25 (Sunday: Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, post-race festival). The event takes place at Zuma Beach, Malibu, California.
