The Rose Bowl Half Marathon loops through Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco — the same storied canyon that’s home to the Rose Bowl Stadium, the Rose Parade route, and some of the best trail-adjacent running in the Los Angeles area. The course runs along the scenic Rose Bowl loop road, through Brookside Park, and along the Arroyo Seco channel with the San Gabriel Mountains as a dramatic backdrop.
The January timing capitalizes on Southern California’s mild winter weather — expect sunshine and temperatures in the 60s while most of the country is frozen. The course is mostly flat with some gentle rolling terrain, making it a fast option for runners looking to start the year with a strong performance. The Rose Bowl Stadium itself is visible for much of the course, and the finish area in Brookside Park has that classic Pasadena charm.
Pasadena is accessible via the Metro Gold Line from downtown Los Angeles, and Old Town Pasadena’s restaurant row on Colorado Boulevard is one of the best pre-race dining scenes in the LA area. LAX is about 45 minutes away, while Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is closer at 20 minutes.
