22nd ANNUAL PETALUMA RIVER MARATHON/ HALF-MARATHON
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Presented by Bont Rowing
Since 2004, the Petaluma River Marathon has served as the West Coast flat-water marathon/half marathon championship. It is one of the most beautiful and fun races on the west coast. This year marks our 22nd Anniversary!
The 2026 Petaluma River Marathon is proudly sponsored by Bont Rowing. Bont builds rowing shoes trusted for their comfort, durability, and secure, connected drive, and our own club made the switch. In the words of North Bay Rowing Club masters rower Katie: "Switching our club to Bont shoes was such an improvement. There was no break-in period, and no pinching or rubbing during long sessions. Comfortable, tough, and simple. Just what we needed." Learn more at bontrowing.com
Participants have ranged in age from 13 to near 80, with an array of experiences from ocean rowers, Olympians, and super paddlers to enthusiastic beginners. Bring plenty of water and food to get you through the race, then we’ll relax together afterwards on the adjacent Foundry Wharf green with a potluck feast. The race takes advantage of:
- Excellent conditions: Typically cool with flat water at the start, and minimal interference with motorboat wakes.
- Beautiful venue: The river flows through a nature preserve that conveys an impression of early California. Competitors are amidst native plants and wildlife of a large wetland, and in the background the California coastal range rises to define the horizon.
- Fortunate coincidence: The river stretches 13.1 miles from the NBRC dock near downtown Petaluma to the 100+ year-old railroad bridge near the entrance to San Pablo Bay. Accordingly, those navigating from the NBRC dock to this bridge and back will cover the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Half Marathon participants, will reverse their course around an orange buoy anchored that morning in the center of the river at the halfway point.
Eligible Craft: Practically any rowed or paddled craft as follows:
Rowing: Sliding-seat (8+, 4+, 4-, 4X, 2X, 2-, 1X), both flat and open water designs
Paddling: Kayaks (ocean & flat water); surfskis; canoes; 1, 2, and 6-person outrigger canoes; and, for the half-marathon only, stand-up paddleboards
Participant Perks and Discounts:
Revolution Rowing: 5% off a PerfOARm Seat Pad. Save 5% on a PerfOARm rowing seat pad in any color.
Use code: Petaluma26.2 at revolutionrowing.com. Available now through the day after the race (September 7, 2026).
Rowing Hands: Free Samples. Pick up free samples of Rowing Hands' lanolin-based, anti-blister hand cream near the registration table on race day. Learn more at rowinghands.com
Where to Stay:
Hotel Petaluma, Tapestry Collection by Hilton - Downtown Petaluma, minutes from the race course. Book the North Bay Rowing Club rate here: Use corporate code 3578197. Available year-round.
Oxford Suites Sonoma County - Rohnert Park, an all-suite hotel about a 20-minute drive from the course, with complimentary hot breakfast and on-site dining. Individual guests receive 15%
off the best available rate with promo code NBRC26. Book here: or enter code NBRC26 at oxfordsuitessonoma.com. Groups needing 5 or more rooms per night should contact Oxford directly to book: Dominique Sepulveda, 707-800-4064, dominique.sepulveda@oxfordsuites.com.
Celebration: As always, we’ll recover together over our shared potluck feast and awards ceremony and, of course, hear the stories.
Spectators: The race can be viewed from Petaluma River Park (start/finish); along the river trail through Alman Marsh (from the Sheraton) and from the lookout at Shollenberger Park and along the riverside portion of Shollenberger trail. Gilardi's Lakeville Marina is a good place to view the half-marathon turnaround as well as marathoners as they head out and back. Sundrop Sauna now has a semipermanent sauna and plunge out there. There’s also a picnic table and restrooms. The NBRC boatyard will not be able to host spectators.
The races begin launching at 6:30 AM on Sunday, September 6, 2026 and will finish before noon.
Questions: can go to petalumarivermarathon@gmail.com
Our Partners & Sponsors:
Thank you to the businesses supporting the 2026 Petaluma River Marathon:
- Race sponsor by Bont Rowing (bontrowing.com)
- Race photography by Micah Coate Photography (micahcoatecreative.my.canva.site/portfolio)
- Volunteer coffee by Aqus Cafe (aquscafe.com)
- Seat pad discount from Revolution Rowing (revolutionrowing.com)
- Hand care samples from Rowing Hands (rowinghands.com)
- Lodging partners Hotel Petaluma (hotelpetaluma.tapestrycollection.com, corporate code 3578197) and Oxford Suites Sonoma County (oxfordsuitessonoma.com, promo code NBRC26)