Two Cities Marathon Training Guide 2026: Flat Fresno-Clovis Course, Rail Trail and Pacing Guide
The complete Two Cities Marathon guide: the Shepard Avenue start, Clovis Community College finish, Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail, Woodward Park, Old Town Clovis, pacing, fueling and how to build a 16 to 18 week training plan for race day.
The Two Cities Marathon is exactly what its name promises: a fast, friendly tour of Fresno and Clovis, stitched together by one of the Central Valley’s best marathon assets, the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail.
This is not a race that asks you to solve a puzzle. The course is flat, USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying and built for rhythm. The challenge is execution: settling into pace early, resisting the urge to get greedy on easy terrain, fueling before you feel empty, and arriving at the final miles with enough control to actually use the course’s speed.
For runners chasing a personal best, a Boston qualifier, or a first marathon that feels organized without feeling enormous, Two Cities is one of California’s more useful fall options: fast enough to race hard, local enough to feel personal, and festive enough that the finish line comes with breakfast, beer and a proper Central Valley welcome.
Two Cities Marathon at a Glance
| Race | The Two Cities Marathon |
|---|---|
| 2026 date | Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Start time | 6:30 AM (marathon and half marathon); 6:45 AM (10K and 5K) |
| Start / finish | Marathon and half start on Shepard Avenue between Chestnut and Cedar; all distances finish at Clovis Community College (Willow Avenue and International Avenue) |
| Course character | Flat, road-and-path course through Fresno and Clovis, using the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail as a key rhythm section; built for even pacing and qualifying attempts rather than terrain management |
| Elevation change | Gentle — peaking at just 387 ft across the entire course |
| Certification | USATF-certified and Boston-qualifying, with a flat profile suitable for runners chasing serious time standards |
| 2026 registration | $153 including fee; tiered pricing rising closer to race weekend; full-price tier $190.63; closes October 31, 2026 unless the race sells out earlier |
| Course time limit | 7 hours for the marathon (half marathon: 3.5 hours), maintaining a 16-minute-per-mile pace |
| Race weekend extras | Half marathon, 10K, 5K, virtual run option; hot post-race breakfast, finisher beer, hoodie + technical shirt, live entertainment at the finish festival |
| Best race-day instruction | Do not confuse “flat” with “free.” The course gives you a fast surface, but you still have to earn the final 10K by staying patient early. |
Two Cities is a genuinely flat, USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying course connecting Fresno and Clovis via a scenic rail trail — and a race that treats every finisher, at every distance, like the main event.
Why This Race Is Worth Your Attention
The Two Cities Marathon is a Central Valley institution built around exactly the quality its name promises: a shared celebration of Fresno and Clovis, two adjoining California cities that come together each November for a race weekend with a genuinely community-driven feel.
The course itself was deliberately redesigned in 2021 to prioritize speed, and it delivers: a gentle elevation profile peaking at just 387 feet across the full 26.2 miles, run substantially along the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail — a converted railroad corridor that gives runners a scenic, low-traffic, genuinely fast surface for much of the race.
A USATF-certified, genuinely flat course purpose-built for a personal best or Boston qualifier, paired with a race-weekend experience that treats every finisher — marathoner, half marathoner, 10K or 5K runner — to the same hoodie-and-technical-shirt, medal-and-breakfast, beer-and-live-entertainment celebration.
Course Profile and Elevation
The Two Cities Marathon starts on Shepard Avenue between Chestnut and Cedar and finishes at Clovis Community College. The course’s defining feature is its gentleness: elevation peaks at just 387 feet across the entire 26.2 miles, a genuinely flat profile by design.
The rail trail backbone. Much of the race runs along the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail, a converted railroad corridor connecting the two cities. Runners trace a V-shaped portion of the trail, passing Railroad Park and the Clovis Botanical Gardens along the way.
North Fresno and Woodward Park. The route carries runners through the streets of North Fresno and into Woodward Park, one of the region’s signature green spaces.
Old Town Clovis. The course brings runners into historic Old Town Clovis before returning to the finish at Clovis Community College.
What kind of runner does Two Cities reward?
- Runners chasing a genuine flat-course personal best or Boston qualifying time
- Runners who want a well-organized, community-feeling race without big-city scale or logistics
- Runners who appreciate consistent aid station spacing and a course engineered to minimize elevation surprises
- Runners who value a strong finish-line celebration as much as the race itself
Course Breakdown by Segment
The start: Shepard Avenue
The marathon and half marathon begin on Shepard Avenue between Chestnut and Cedar, with the course quickly picking up the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail for about a mile before its characteristic V-shaped turn.
Pacing instruction: With a flat course ahead, resist the urge to go out too fast just because the terrain allows it. Settle into planned effort early — there are no terrain cues later to bail you out of an aggressive start.
The rail trail: Railroad Park and Clovis Botanical Gardens
The course follows the rail trail’s V-shape, passing Railroad Park and the Clovis Botanical Gardens — a scenic, low-traffic stretch that has become one of the race’s signature sections.
Pacing instruction: This is genuinely fast terrain. Hold your goal pace with confidence rather than surging or holding back excessively.
North Fresno and Woodward Park
The route continues through the streets of North Fresno before reaching Woodward Park, one of the region’s most notable green spaces.
Pacing instruction: A change of scenery here is a good marker for a mental check-in — confirm you’re still on pace and fueling on schedule.
Old Town Clovis
The course brings runners into historic Old Town Clovis before turning back toward the finish.
Pacing instruction: Let the Old Town atmosphere lift your energy as you approach the closing miles. Start evaluating whether you have a strong finish in you.
The finish: Clovis Community College
All distances finish at Clovis Community College, where the post-race festival — hot breakfast, finisher beer and live entertainment — awaits.
Pacing instruction: With a flat course behind you and no late hills, this is where disciplined early pacing pays off most directly. Empty the tank.
Two Cities Marathon Pacing Strategy
Two Cities is about as close to a true even-effort, even-pace course as you’ll find. The gentle 387-foot elevation ceiling means pacing strategy here is less about managing terrain and more about disciplined, confident execution of your goal pace from start to finish.
Do not confuse “flat” with “free.” Flat courses remove all the terrain cues that help runners naturally self-regulate. The runners who go out carefully on the rail trail are the ones who race the final miles.
Sample pacing framework for a 4:00 marathon
| Segment | Course character | Target effort | Expected pace range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start–6 | Shepard Avenue, rail trail V-turn | Controlled, settle in | 9:05–9:15/mi |
| Miles 6–13 | Railroad Park, Clovis Botanical Gardens | Even effort, hold goal pace | 9:00–9:10/mi |
| Miles 13–19 | North Fresno, Woodward Park | Steady, confirm pace and fueling | 9:00–9:10/mi |
| Miles 19–24 | Old Town Clovis approach | Even effort, evaluate your finish | 9:00–9:15/mi |
| Miles 24–26.2 | Return to Clovis Community College | Race if able | 8:50–9:05/mi if controlled |
Use the Pace Perfect pacing calculator to build your Two Cities Marathon splits →
How to Train for the Two Cities Marathon
Two Cities training can emphasize genuine marathon-pace execution over hill or terrain-specific work, given how flat and consistent the course is — the biggest risk here is pacing discipline, not terrain surprises.
1. Rehearse even-effort, even-pace long runs
Since the course offers few natural terrain cues to adjust pace by, practice holding a steady planned pace on flat training routes so race day execution feels automatic.
2. Practice a strong closing 10K
With no late hills to manage, Two Cities rewards runners who can finish as strong as they started. Include some progression long runs that get faster in the final miles.
3. Boredom-proof your rhythm
Because Two Cities is so flat, it can punish runners who rely on hills or turns to naturally reset their effort. Practice long, uninterrupted blocks at marathon pace on flat terrain. The goal is not just fitness — it is boredom-proofing your rhythm so you can keep running the same controlled pace when the course stops giving you cues.
4. Prepare for potentially warm late-morning conditions
Early November in the Central Valley can still run warm for slower finishers by late morning. Include some warm-weather training if you expect a longer finish time.
5. Add general marathon strength work
Standard durability staples — glute and hip stability, calf endurance, core — serve this course well without needing hill-specific emphasis.
6. Build a 16 to 18 week block
For a November 1, 2026 race, an 18-week plan starts in late June 2026; a 16-week plan starts in mid-July 2026.
| Training phase | Timing | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Base and pacing discipline | Weeks 1–5 | Aerobic volume, even-effort pace control, strength work |
| Marathon-specific build | Weeks 6–12 | Long runs, marathon-pace work, fueling practice |
| Course-specific sharpening | Weeks 13–15 | Strong-finish rehearsals, dress rehearsals at goal pace |
| Taper | Final 2–3 weeks | Reduce volume, stay sharp, arrive fresh |
Build a plan that matches Two Cities’ flat Fresno-Clovis course and your race day goal.
Build My Two Cities Training Plan — $49Weather: Early November in the Central Valley
Early November in Fresno usually brings good marathon weather: a cool morning, a mild-to-warm late morning, and a relatively low rain risk compared with winter. The key risk is not cold. It is the Central Valley sun warming things up for runners who are still on course deep into the morning. Average rain chance in early November is roughly 14% — manageable, but worth monitoring.
Cool outlier
Early-morning starts can run cooler than the monthly average, especially given the 6:30 AM gun. Bring layers for the start that you’re happy to shed.
Warm outlier
By late morning, especially for slower marathon finishers still on course toward the 7-hour cutoff, temperatures can climb meaningfully in the Central Valley sun. Adjust hydration and effort expectations if you expect a longer finish time.
Fueling Strategy
Two Cities’ flat, fast profile still demands fueling discipline. Aid stations appear every 2 miles through mile 20, then every mile from mile 21 through 25. Most marathoners should aim for 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrate per hour.
What’s on course: GU Energy Gels (Tri-Berry, Salted Caramel and Vanilla flavors) and GU Tri-Berry hydration mix are available on course for full and half marathon participants.
Suggested fueling checkpoints
- Gel 1: Mile 4–5
- Gel 2: Mile 9–10
- Gel 3: Mile 14–15
- Gel 4: Mile 18–19
- Gel 5: Mile 22–23, using the more frequent late-race aid stations to your advantage
Plan your Two Cities Marathon race-day fueling →
Mental Strategy for Race Day
Start to mile 6: Trust the flat course, don’t rush it
Shepard Avenue. The rail trail’s V-turn. Settle into your planned pace early — there is no terrain here that will bail out an overly aggressive start. Your first job is to arrive at mile 6 feeling almost suspiciously comfortable.
Miles 6 to 13: Hold rhythm through the scenery
Railroad Park. Clovis Botanical Gardens. This is genuinely fast terrain — enjoy it while staying disciplined. If it feels heroic, you are already writing a check the course may cash later.
Miles 13 to 19: Do the steady work
North Fresno. Woodward Park. No dramatic terrain here — just consistent, confident marathon running. Fuel. Keep form. Stay boring.
Miles 19 to 24: Build toward Old Town Clovis
The approach to Old Town. Start evaluating what you have left. If you’ve held your plan this far, you are in a genuinely good position to race the closing miles.
Miles 24 to 26.2: Finish at Clovis Community College
The festival waiting — breakfast, beer, live entertainment. With a flat course behind you, this is where disciplined pacing all day finally pays out. Empty the tank.
Logistics: Hotels, Expo and Race Weekend
Where to stay
Clovis, near the finish at Clovis Community College, or North Fresno along the course both offer reasonable race-weekend bases in this compact Central Valley community.
Parking and race-morning logistics
Parking is available at Clovis West High School, with shuttle service back to the Clovis West lot after the race. Plan your race-morning transportation around this system given the point-to-point start for the marathon and half marathon.
Packet pickup and expo
The Iron Office Health and Fitness Expo, held at The Well Community Church’s Clovis Campus in the days before race day, is where most runners collect their packets. Day-of packet pickup is available only for those who purchase that option during registration.
Pacers
Pacing is managed by Beast Pacing, with marathon pace groups typically spanning from sub-3:00 finishers through the mid-4-hour range, and half marathon groups from 1:30 through 2:30.
Race weekend extras
Beyond the marathon, the weekend includes a half marathon, 10K and 5K, plus a virtual run option. All participants receive a hoodie and technical shirt, with a hot post-race breakfast, finisher beer and live entertainment at the finish festival.
Two Cities Marathon FAQ
Is the Two Cities Marathon the same as the Twin Cities Marathon?
No. The Two Cities Marathon is held in Fresno and Clovis, California. The Twin Cities Marathon is a separate race in Minnesota. If you are looking for the Fresno-Clovis race, use “Two Cities Marathon” or “Two Cities Marathon Fresno Clovis” in your search.
When is the 2026 Two Cities Marathon?
Sunday, November 1, 2026. The marathon and half marathon start at 6:30 AM; the 10K and 5K start at 6:45 AM.
Is the course flat?
Yes — genuinely so. The course was redesigned in 2021 specifically for speed, with elevation peaking at just 387 feet across the full 26.2 miles.
Is it a good Boston qualifier course?
Yes. It is USATF-certified and Boston-qualifying, with a flat profile suitable for runners chasing serious time standards.
How much does it cost to register?
Current 2026 marathon registration is $153 including fee, with tiered pricing rising closer to race weekend. The listed full-price tier is $190.63, and registration is scheduled to close October 31, 2026 unless the race sells out earlier.
What landmarks does the course pass?
The Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail, Railroad Park, the Clovis Botanical Gardens, North Fresno, Woodward Park and historic Old Town Clovis, starting on Shepard Avenue and finishing at Clovis Community College.
Is there a time limit?
Yes — 7 hours for the marathon and 3.5 hours for the half marathon, both requiring a 16-minute-per-mile pace due to city permit and road-reopening requirements.
How should I fuel for Two Cities?
Target 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrate per hour. Official aid stations appear every 2 miles through mile 20, then every mile from 21 through 25, with GU Tri-Berry, Salted Caramel and Vanilla gels plus GU Tri-Berry hydration on course.
Is this a good first marathon?
Yes — the flat course, generous aid station spacing, well-organized logistics and genuinely celebratory finish-line atmosphere make it a strong candidate for a first full marathon or a dedicated Boston qualifying attempt.