| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| H (°F) | 71 | 57 | 64 | 70 | 70 |
| L (°F) | 46 | 40 | 48 | 52 | 41 |
Pros: Lots of pacers for the half and full, nice swag (long sleeve & 1/4 zip), beautiful ocean views, plenty of race parking Cons: Only a 6 hour cut off MORE
Pros: Lots of pacers for the half and full, nice swag (long sleeve & 1/4 zip), beautiful ocean views, plenty of race parking
Cons: Only a 6 hour cut off
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Carlsbad is a good production with good vibes and overall, it's a fun course with minimal hills and all on pavement. Plenty of water stations, mile markers and pacers to … MORE
Carlsbad is a good production with good vibes and overall, it’s a fun course with minimal hills and all on pavement. Plenty of water stations, mile markers and pacers to help pace you. It was a cloudy day but the energy, music and vendors were rockin’!
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This race was organized so well! I loved that they had lanes for 1/2 marathoners & full marathoners it made it so much easier when you were together. The aid … MORE
This race was organized so well! I loved that they had lanes for 1/2 marathoners & full marathoners it made it so much easier when you were together. The aid stations were awesome. I loved white cups for water printed cups for Gatorade. Awesome race swag. The course was hilly but beautiful!
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The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a fun way to start your running year—beautiful, coastal, hilly, and a total blast! Expo / pick-up: -The Holiday Inn Carlsbad, located just over a … MORE
The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a fun way to start your running year—beautiful, coastal, hilly, and a total blast!
Expo / pick-up:
-The Holiday Inn Carlsbad, located just over a mile from the airport, served as the official race hotel and the staging ground of the expo and packet pick-up. The parking lot was busy, but there were plenty of spots available. Shirt and packet pick-up was convenient in the hotel’s main ballroom, where you could also check out official race gear. Some of last year’s shirts were on sale at a discount, though men’s sizes were limited to XL variants. The hotel’s outdoor courtyard hosted sponsor exhibits, where you could pick up last-minute sunglasses, and socks, or enjoy samples from Yakult, or pose for photos with official Carlsbad Half backdrops.
Parking/Pre-race:
-The start area was at the southwest side of the Shoppes at Carlsbad, along the corner of Marron Road and Monroe St, just north of Hosp Grove Park. Plentiful parking is one of the nice things about staging the race’s start/finish a mall. There were also multiple rows of fenced-off port-a-potties—I never waited in line for more than 5 minutes. Gear-check was available for a fee via Mobile Locker, but because the start line is so close to the parking lot, I think it’s easier to just access stuff from your car if you’re driving. The start corrals were spaced out along Marron Road and divided by wave numbers and pacing groups. If you get there very early, be aware that the marathon’s start corrals are further back, and once the marathoners head out, the race officials will pack up the marathon start arch and timing mats, and the half marathon start area moves up on Marron Road.
Course:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is an out-and-back course, with Miles 1-2 heading southwest away from the mall, through residential areas, past Buena Vista Lagoon, and up over the 5 Freeway. This early portion feels the most crowded, especially the turnaround point where State St and Carlsbad Blvd intersect at Maxton Brown Park. This was my least favorite part of the course because the residential streets are narrow and you’re tightly clustered with other runners. The race opens after Mile 3 as you cross Carlsbad Village Drive and finally get nice views of Carlsbad State Beach. The sun (hiding behind clouds this year), the water, the salty sea breeze… it’s a fantastic feeling. Most of this stretch along Carlsbad Boulevard is elevated above beach-level, so you get clear views of the Pacific Ocean. There are some perfect angles for beach selfies! The hills go rolling for several miles, but they’re more interesting rather than intimidating. Just before Mile 7, you hit a turnaround that takes you on a parallel road back, so you see the same beaches as before, though further inland from the opposite direction. The crowd support is strong around the turnaround point, with lots of funny and encouraging signs! You roughly re-trace the first half of the course along Carlsbad Boulevard, with a few tweaks including skipping the early turnaround. When you cross the 5 Freeway again, the course goes downhill, and that momentum carries you towards the roaring finish line at the Shoppes parking lot near the corner of Marron and Vista Way.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-The cloudy, overcast weather couldn’t hamper the lovely scenery. Miles 3-10 run along the coast, and the elevated road makes for comforting views. There were water stations every mile, with electrolytes at alternating stations, so hydration was sufficient and the volunteers were awesome. Crowd support was also excellent. Local bands, DJs, run groups, and local businesses all lent an encouraging energy throughout the day. Because runners’ names are printed in all-caps on your bibs, random supporters could easily cheer you on by name. It’s a nice touch! It was a chilly California winter day, with temperatures in the low-50s at the start line, and pushing into the upper-50s when I arrived at the finish line.
Post-race:
-Continuing a trend over the last few years, finish-line goodies were conveniently packaged in brown paper bags—I appreciate this because (1) health concerns, (2) it’s easier to grab one bag instead of stopping at multiple stations, and (3) there have been many post-races where I’m stumbling, exhausted, and trying to juggle water and snacks in two hands or stuffing them in my pockets. The bagged refreshments included: a banana, an aluminum bottle water, Hollandia chocolate milk, Partners sea salt crackers, and a JamBar. The post-race festival outside the Shoppes featured live music, a beer festival, massages, food trucks, and tents for sponsors, merch sales, and race results. Lines will be long for the three photo op backdrops: the Half Marathon, the Double Down Challenge, and the Triple Crown.
Swag:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon always has good swag. The metal square of a finisher medal featured an image of Carlsbad cliffsides and palm trees overseeing the ocean, with a pier (Oceanside?) in the background amidst blue and pastel orange skies. Flip the medal around for the Carlsbad Half Marathon logo, date, and info etched in silver, all looped with a blue/orange ribbon. If you do the 5k earlier that morning, you also score the Double Down Challenge medal, a metal square with dark turquoise palm trees and light blue skies. A “16.2” circle swivels near the center to proclaim the total number of miles you ran in one morning. The back of the Double Down medal is a negative of the front: light blue palm trees amidst a turquoise sky.
The official half marathon race shirt was a white, long-sleeve tech shirt with the same Carlsbad cliffside image front and center. My favorite piece of kit was the blue-turquoise quarter-zip long-sleeve shirt, with thumb-holes in the sleeves, though I do wish the “Carlsbad” on the front wasn’t just a dark turquoise. It needs more contrast to pop off the shirt. This quarter-zip was so popular that I saw so many people running in it instead of the official white shirt!
Bottom-line:
– The Carlsbad Half Marathon remains my favorite half-marathon in Southern California. Its elevated coastal views, strong production/support, and great energy make it a great way to kick off the new year!
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I really loved this course, a little hilly at times but can't beat the beachside views! Shout out to all the volunteers, there was an abundance of aid stations and … MORE
I really loved this course, a little hilly at times but can’t beat the beachside views! Shout out to all the volunteers, there was an abundance of aid stations and that helped a ton. There was great energy post races with the beer garden, doggos, and tunes/ Everyone was jubilant and having a great time.
The medal was a piece of art and it’s one of my favorites if not my favorite.
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I loved the swag - great long sleeve shirt with a nice design and not 30 sponsors on the back: you also got a light weigh jacket and a race … MORE
I loved the swag – great long sleeve shirt with a nice design and not 30 sponsors on the back: you also got a light weigh jacket and a race bag to carry it; the medal matched the design on the shirt and when you finished the race, your snacks were in a easy to carry lunch bag. They two different craft beers to choose and plenty of chairs to collapse into . The entertainment on the course was funny – green guy got me motivated; the folks who lived on the playing upbeat music, some one even had bananas- not a runner or he would have cut them into quarters. Best signs life is short except when you run and then it goes on a long time. The other was about you have a call regarding your car extended warranty. I liked the humor and it made me run faster. Plenty of room to run without having to run in and around people . It is a race I would do again
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Beautiful course, some rolling hills but nothing that will truly knock you on your butt. Great crowds, and lot's of fun entertainment to view on the side of the course. … MORE
Beautiful course, some rolling hills but nothing that will truly knock you on your butt. Great crowds, and lot’s of fun entertainment to view on the side of the course. Big, easy parking area, highly recommend.
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I had no idea what to expect going into this race and it was the first of three marathons in 60 days for me. It was one of the most … MORE
I had no idea what to expect going into this race and it was the first of three marathons in 60 days for me. It was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever run. Gorgeous scenery and a course that is both challenging and comfortable to run. I recommend this race to everyone!!
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If you're looking to run any running events during Winter season (not really winter in Southern California), this is the perfect race for you. Although there are some rolling hills … MORE
If you’re looking to run any running events during Winter season (not really winter in Southern California), this is the perfect race for you. Although there are some rolling hills that are not that steep but doable, the best part of the race is you run through the views of the Pacific Ocean beginning in Mile 3 to Mile 10 (turn around after Mile 7).
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I would definitely recommend this race. Very scenic course, and the weather was perfect. The only thing I would somehow change is the out and back course. MORE
I would definitely recommend this race. Very scenic course, and the weather was perfect. The only thing I would somehow change is the out and back course.
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Great PR course - flat with a couple rollers. Fully aided. Great swag! First half marathon after baby Amelia was born (10 months) and a great reliable flat course to … MORE
Great PR course – flat with a couple rollers. Fully aided. Great swag!
First half marathon after baby Amelia was born (10 months) and a great reliable flat course to get back at it! Plenty of mall parking for family / beer garden / great cool time of year. Carlsbad I’d also my hometown so nostalgic to run these roads!
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This race is very fun - especially if you're coming from altitude. There is some elevation change (an overpass) to keep it spicy on the way out, and then you … MORE
This race is very fun – especially if you’re coming from altitude. There is some elevation change (an overpass) to keep it spicy on the way out, and then you get a nice downhill on the way back. The only thing I wish was different was we didn’t run far enough to get near the ocean!
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The Carlsbad Half Marathon remains one of my faves— coastal, beautiful, and hilly! Even the cloudy, cold weather couldn’t dampen this year’s race. Expo / pick-up: -This year’s expo and … MORE
The Carlsbad Half Marathon remains one of my faves— coastal, beautiful, and hilly! Even the cloudy, cold weather couldn’t dampen this year’s race.
Expo / pick-up:
-This year’s expo and packet pick-up was at the Holiday Inn Carlsbad, just over a mile from the airport. The parking lot was big but also busy! Shirt and packet pick-up was convenient in the hotel’s main ballroom, where you could also check out official race gear. I wish there were more shirt designs, though. Sponsor exhibits took up the hotel’s outdoor courtyard if you need to pick up some last-minute sunglasses, socks, or recovery gear, while posing with some official photo backdrops.
Parking/Pre-race:
-The start area was set at the southwest side of the Shoppes at Carlsbad, along the corner of Marron Road and Monroe St. The nice thing about staging the start/finish at a mall: so much available parking. The same applied to port-a-potties as well, plentiful. Gear-check was offered for an additional fee via Mobile Locker, with prices ranging from $10-20 depending on the locker size. Because the start line is so close to the parking lot, I think it’s easier to just access stuff from your car. However, if you plan to plan to arrive late/park farther away, or are relying on alternate transportation, the lockers are worth considering. The start corrals were spaced out along Marron Road and divided by wave numbers and pacing groups—faster runners up front.
Course:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is an out-and-back course, with Miles 1-2 heading southwest away from the mall, through residential areas, and over the 5 Freeway. This early portion feels crowded and has the narrowest paths, including a turnaround where State St and Carlsbad Blvd intersect. This was my least favorite part of the course because you’re nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with all the other runners. The race really opens up at Mile 3 when you finally get nice views of Carlsbad State Beach. The sun (stubbornly obscured by clouds this year), the water, the sea breeze… it all comes together magnificently. Most of this Carlsbad Boulevard stretch is elevated above beach-level, so you get an unobstructed view of the water. It makes for some picture-perfect moments if you want some selfies. The hills roll up and down for a few miles to keep things interesting, as the elevation grants great views at the cost of your legs. Just before Mile 7, you hit a turnaround that takes you on a parallel road back, so you see the same beaches as before, now from the opposite direction. The crowd support is strong around the turnaround point. You roughly re-trace the first half of the course, with a few tweaks including skipping the early turnaround, then hit the finish line by turning into the Shoppes parking lot at the corner of Marron and Monroe.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-Even on a cloudy day, the scenery is great! Miles 3-10 run along the coast, and the elevated road makes for soothing views. There were water stations every mile, so hydration was sufficient. Crowd support was good, including DJs, local bands (the rapper at Mile 2 was fun), run groups and local businesses. Because runners’ names are printed in all-caps on your bibs, random supporters could easily cheer you on by name (instead of “Let’s go, Runner 101!”). It’s a fun surprise! Race day weather was cold for January, starting in the mid-50s at the start line, and barely inched up by the time I arrived at the finish line.
Post-race:
-Finish-line goodies were conveniently packaged in brown paper bags—I appreciate this because (1) Covid concerns, (2) it’s faster to grab just one bag instead of stopping at multiple stations, and (3) there have been so many post-races where I’m stumbling, exhausted, and trying to juggle water and snacks in two hands. Exhaustion can lead to lack of coordination! The bagged refreshments included: bananas, aluminum bottles of Heart Water, Hollandia chocolate milk, Partners sea salt crackers, chocolate-flavor JamBar, and a Dole Papaya & Mango fruit cup. The post-race festival outside the Shoppes featured live music, a beer festival, massages, food trucks, and tents for sponsors and merch sales. Lines will be long for the three photo op backdrops: the Half Marathon, the Double Down Challenge, and the Triple Crown.
Swag:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon always has great swag. The finisher medal featured a lifeguard tower in front of a sunset beach, with pastel colors of teal, orange, and red. Flip the medal around for the event name, date, and info in silver, all looped with a light orange/green ribbon. If you do the 5k earlier that morning, you also score the Double Down Challenge medal, a rounded square in a dark turquoise color. A “16.2” circle swivels near the center to announce the total number of miles you ran! The official half marathon race shirt was a white, long-sleeve tech shirt with the Carlsbad lifeguard tower logo front and center. My favorite piece of kit was the gray quarter-zip long-sleeve shirt, with the Carlsbad logo printed vertically across the front, and thumb-holes in the sleeves. Very comfy. My only quibble with any of the race materials this year was the Double Down Challenge bib. The pastel color scheme is great, but your bib number and name are printed in white, which sometimes blends too easily into the background. Maybe outline the white numbers with a darker color next time?
Bottom-line:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a fantastic race, and one of my favorite running events. The elevated coastal views, strong production/support, and great energy make it fun day of racing. I’m already looking forward to next year!
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I guided a Blind Athlete on his 2nd marathon towards his quest to become a Para-olympian. Jeff Mata shaved 41 minutes from his last marathon. Course is perfect for athletes … MORE
I guided a Blind Athlete on his 2nd marathon towards his quest to become a Para-olympian. Jeff Mata shaved 41 minutes from his last marathon. Course is perfect for athletes requiring additional space. However; it is a tough course , but this is exactly what he needed to prepare for Boston 2023. Race organizers and volunteers were incredible.
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Swag was awesome. Two long sleeves shirts, with the option of fitted. Lots of aid stations. This is only my 2nd half marathon, but I can see that I don't … MORE
Swag was awesome. Two long sleeves shirts, with the option of fitted. Lots of aid stations. This is only my 2nd half marathon, but I can see that I don’t like the “out and back” version as much as “point to point”. But all in all, I would definitely do this one again. Very well organized and had a great time.
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Really enjoyed this race. Outstanding swag (t shirt and quarter zip) and excellent production. Race Day was cloudy and cool, which was great, I could see it being rough in … MORE
Really enjoyed this race. Outstanding swag (t shirt and quarter zip) and excellent production. Race Day was cloudy and cool, which was great, I could see it being rough in the full sun as there’s little or no covered areas. But all in all a great run!
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Had a great time with the Carlsbad half. Loved running along the ocean for most of it. Would not be into it if I had done the full marathon as … MORE
Had a great time with the Carlsbad half. Loved running along the ocean for most of it. Would not be into it if I had done the full marathon as they just essentially double the same course. All in all, would do it again. Race swag was legit.
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If you love a cool breeze, beautiful coastal views, and steady hills, you’ll love the Carlsbad Half Marathon. Expo / pick-up: -This year’s expo and pick-up was at the Holiday … MORE
If you love a cool breeze, beautiful coastal views, and steady hills, you’ll love the Carlsbad Half Marathon.
Expo / pick-up:
-This year’s expo and pick-up was at the Holiday Inn Carlsbad. The parking lot was packed. Shirt pick-up was quick and easy in one of the ballrooms, while sponsor exhibits and merch sales were available in the hotel’s outdoor courtyard. I was there within an hour of opening on the first day, and race merch selection was already a bit sparse, especially when it came to sizing. Bummer!
Parking/Pre-race:
– The start area was located along the southwest corner of the Shoppes at Carlsbad, along Marron Road. One of the nice things about staging the start/finish at a mall: all the parking you could ever want. The same applied to port-a-potties as well, plentiful. Gear-check was offered for an additional fee (boo!) but because the staging area is so close to the parking lot, I think it’s just as easy to access stuff from your car. Still, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re relying on alternate modes of transportation. The start corrals were nicely spaced out along Marron Road, and divided by wave numbers and pacing groups.
Course:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon course is an out-and-back, with Miles 1-2 breaking away from the mall, through some residential areas, and over the 5 Freeway. This early portion feels slightly crowded and has the narrowest paths, including a turnaround where State St and Carlsbad Blvd intersect. This was my least favorite part of the course. The race feels like it REALLY begins at Mile 3, as you finally get to run with lovely views of Carlsbad State Beach. The sun, the water, the sea breeze, everything starts to come together as advertised. Unlike some other coastal runs I’ve done, most of the Carlsbad Boulevard route is elevated above beach-level, so you get an unobstructed view of the water. It’s very nice! There are constant rolling hills every mile or two that make for challenging ups and fun downs. Just before Mile 7, you hit a turnaround that takes you back on a parallel road, so you see much of the same beaches but from the opposite direction. From there, you’re basically re-tracing the first half of the course, with a few minor tweaks including skipping the early turnaround, and ending at the corner of Marron and Monroe.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-As mentioned above, the scenery is great! Miles 3-10 run along the coast, and the elevated road makes for soothing views. No complaints about hydration, as there were water/Nuun stations every mile or so. Race officials did email us a few days before the race that the official gel supplements had been delayed, so that was a bummer, but not a big deal as I was self-fueling. Crowd support was good, including DJs, local bands, run groups and businesses, and got better as the race extended later into the morning. One thing I noticed during the race was that since runner names were pretty prominent on the race bibs, random supporters could more easily cheer on random runners by name (instead of “Let’s go, Runner 101!”). It’s a fun and unexpected feeling! Race day weather was cool and pleasant, starting in the upper 50s at the start line, and going into the mid-60s by the time I reached the finish line.
Post-race:
-Finish-line goodies were conveniently pre-packaged in brown paper bags—I appreciate this because (1) Covid concerns, (2) faster to grab just one bag instead of stopping at multiple stations, and (3) there have been way too many post-races where I’m stumbling, exhausted, and trying to juggle water and snacks. The refreshments included: bananas, Qure water, Hollandia chocolate milk, Partners sea salt crackers, Chewy granola bar, Dole oranges fruit cup, Organifi drink mix. I also picked up some Suja coconut protein drinks from one of the vendors. Post-race festival outside the Shoppes featured live music, a beer festival, massages, food trucks, and tents for sponsors and merch sales.
Swag:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon race swag this year was pretty nifty. I liked the finisher medal, featuring just the race’s new, circular red/orange/yellow sunset and blue wave logo in the front. Flip the medal around for the event name, date, and info in silver, all looped with a blue ribbon. Race shirt was a white, long-sleeve tech shirt with the same colorful race logo front and center. Bonus: a black, long-sleeve jacket with a corner chest Carlsbad logo, and thumb-holes in the sleeves. There were a few undone threads on my jacket, but it’s still pretty nice!
Bottom-line:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a really top-notch race, with elevated coastal views, strong production/support, and great energy. I had a great time and can’t wait to run it again!
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If you are able to complete the 5K before the half then you can do the Double Down Challenge. This 5K is just the first bit of the half. A … MORE
If you are able to complete the 5K before the half then you can do the Double Down Challenge. This 5K is just the first bit of the half. A quick out and back with lots of course support. Watch your time. You have to be finished and back in the corrals before the half starts.
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I really love this course. I first ran it 20 years ago, and hadn't been back since. The ocean views are spectacular. There are some pretty long gradual hills that … MORE
I really love this course. I first ran it 20 years ago, and hadn’t been back since. The ocean views are spectacular. There are some pretty long gradual hills that were pretty challenging, but overall it was pretty fast. Love the swag – 3/4 quarter zip AND a long sleeve tech shirt – can’t beat that. I PR’d … I’ll definitely be back!
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Nice views
Pros: Lots of pacers for the half and full, nice swag (long sleeve & 1/4 zip), beautiful ocean views, plenty of race parking Cons: Only a 6 hour cut off MORE
Pros: Lots of pacers for the half and full, nice swag (long sleeve & 1/4 zip), beautiful ocean views, plenty of race parking
Cons: Only a 6 hour cut off
Carlsbad is a good race for PR
Carlsbad is a good production with good vibes and overall, it's a fun course with minimal hills and all on pavement. Plenty of water stations, mile markers and pacers to … MORE
Carlsbad is a good production with good vibes and overall, it’s a fun course with minimal hills and all on pavement. Plenty of water stations, mile markers and pacers to help pace you. It was a cloudy day but the energy, music and vendors were rockin’!
It was a beautiful hilly course!!
This race was organized so well! I loved that they had lanes for 1/2 marathoners & full marathoners it made it so much easier when you were together. The aid … MORE
This race was organized so well! I loved that they had lanes for 1/2 marathoners & full marathoners it made it so much easier when you were together. The aid stations were awesome. I loved white cups for water printed cups for Gatorade. Awesome race swag. The course was hilly but beautiful!
Rolling hills, coastal scenes!
The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a fun way to start your running year—beautiful, coastal, hilly, and a total blast! Expo / pick-up: -The Holiday Inn Carlsbad, located just over a … MORE
The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a fun way to start your running year—beautiful, coastal, hilly, and a total blast!
Expo / pick-up:
-The Holiday Inn Carlsbad, located just over a mile from the airport, served as the official race hotel and the staging ground of the expo and packet pick-up. The parking lot was busy, but there were plenty of spots available. Shirt and packet pick-up was convenient in the hotel’s main ballroom, where you could also check out official race gear. Some of last year’s shirts were on sale at a discount, though men’s sizes were limited to XL variants. The hotel’s outdoor courtyard hosted sponsor exhibits, where you could pick up last-minute sunglasses, and socks, or enjoy samples from Yakult, or pose for photos with official Carlsbad Half backdrops.
Parking/Pre-race:
-The start area was at the southwest side of the Shoppes at Carlsbad, along the corner of Marron Road and Monroe St, just north of Hosp Grove Park. Plentiful parking is one of the nice things about staging the race’s start/finish a mall. There were also multiple rows of fenced-off port-a-potties—I never waited in line for more than 5 minutes. Gear-check was available for a fee via Mobile Locker, but because the start line is so close to the parking lot, I think it’s easier to just access stuff from your car if you’re driving. The start corrals were spaced out along Marron Road and divided by wave numbers and pacing groups. If you get there very early, be aware that the marathon’s start corrals are further back, and once the marathoners head out, the race officials will pack up the marathon start arch and timing mats, and the half marathon start area moves up on Marron Road.
Course:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is an out-and-back course, with Miles 1-2 heading southwest away from the mall, through residential areas, past Buena Vista Lagoon, and up over the 5 Freeway. This early portion feels the most crowded, especially the turnaround point where State St and Carlsbad Blvd intersect at Maxton Brown Park. This was my least favorite part of the course because the residential streets are narrow and you’re tightly clustered with other runners. The race opens after Mile 3 as you cross Carlsbad Village Drive and finally get nice views of Carlsbad State Beach. The sun (hiding behind clouds this year), the water, the salty sea breeze… it’s a fantastic feeling. Most of this stretch along Carlsbad Boulevard is elevated above beach-level, so you get clear views of the Pacific Ocean. There are some perfect angles for beach selfies! The hills go rolling for several miles, but they’re more interesting rather than intimidating. Just before Mile 7, you hit a turnaround that takes you on a parallel road back, so you see the same beaches as before, though further inland from the opposite direction. The crowd support is strong around the turnaround point, with lots of funny and encouraging signs! You roughly re-trace the first half of the course along Carlsbad Boulevard, with a few tweaks including skipping the early turnaround. When you cross the 5 Freeway again, the course goes downhill, and that momentum carries you towards the roaring finish line at the Shoppes parking lot near the corner of Marron and Vista Way.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-The cloudy, overcast weather couldn’t hamper the lovely scenery. Miles 3-10 run along the coast, and the elevated road makes for comforting views. There were water stations every mile, with electrolytes at alternating stations, so hydration was sufficient and the volunteers were awesome. Crowd support was also excellent. Local bands, DJs, run groups, and local businesses all lent an encouraging energy throughout the day. Because runners’ names are printed in all-caps on your bibs, random supporters could easily cheer you on by name. It’s a nice touch! It was a chilly California winter day, with temperatures in the low-50s at the start line, and pushing into the upper-50s when I arrived at the finish line.
Post-race:
-Continuing a trend over the last few years, finish-line goodies were conveniently packaged in brown paper bags—I appreciate this because (1) health concerns, (2) it’s easier to grab one bag instead of stopping at multiple stations, and (3) there have been many post-races where I’m stumbling, exhausted, and trying to juggle water and snacks in two hands or stuffing them in my pockets. The bagged refreshments included: a banana, an aluminum bottle water, Hollandia chocolate milk, Partners sea salt crackers, and a JamBar. The post-race festival outside the Shoppes featured live music, a beer festival, massages, food trucks, and tents for sponsors, merch sales, and race results. Lines will be long for the three photo op backdrops: the Half Marathon, the Double Down Challenge, and the Triple Crown.
Swag:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon always has good swag. The metal square of a finisher medal featured an image of Carlsbad cliffsides and palm trees overseeing the ocean, with a pier (Oceanside?) in the background amidst blue and pastel orange skies. Flip the medal around for the Carlsbad Half Marathon logo, date, and info etched in silver, all looped with a blue/orange ribbon. If you do the 5k earlier that morning, you also score the Double Down Challenge medal, a metal square with dark turquoise palm trees and light blue skies. A “16.2” circle swivels near the center to proclaim the total number of miles you ran in one morning. The back of the Double Down medal is a negative of the front: light blue palm trees amidst a turquoise sky.
The official half marathon race shirt was a white, long-sleeve tech shirt with the same Carlsbad cliffside image front and center. My favorite piece of kit was the blue-turquoise quarter-zip long-sleeve shirt, with thumb-holes in the sleeves, though I do wish the “Carlsbad” on the front wasn’t just a dark turquoise. It needs more contrast to pop off the shirt. This quarter-zip was so popular that I saw so many people running in it instead of the official white shirt!
Bottom-line:
– The Carlsbad Half Marathon remains my favorite half-marathon in Southern California. Its elevated coastal views, strong production/support, and great energy make it a great way to kick off the new year!
I had a cold but also a blast
I really loved this course, a little hilly at times but can't beat the beachside views! Shout out to all the volunteers, there was an abundance of aid stations and … MORE
I really loved this course, a little hilly at times but can’t beat the beachside views! Shout out to all the volunteers, there was an abundance of aid stations and that helped a ton. There was great energy post races with the beer garden, doggos, and tunes/ Everyone was jubilant and having a great time.
The medal was a piece of art and it’s one of my favorites if not my favorite.
Lived up to being beautiful race
I loved the swag - great long sleeve shirt with a nice design and not 30 sponsors on the back: you also got a light weigh jacket and a race … MORE
I loved the swag – great long sleeve shirt with a nice design and not 30 sponsors on the back: you also got a light weigh jacket and a race bag to carry it; the medal matched the design on the shirt and when you finished the race, your snacks were in a easy to carry lunch bag. They two different craft beers to choose and plenty of chairs to collapse into . The entertainment on the course was funny – green guy got me motivated; the folks who lived on the playing upbeat music, some one even had bananas- not a runner or he would have cut them into quarters. Best signs life is short except when you run and then it goes on a long time. The other was about you have a call regarding your car extended warranty. I liked the humor and it made me run faster. Plenty of room to run without having to run in and around people . It is a race I would do again
Fun Race
Beautiful course, some rolling hills but nothing that will truly knock you on your butt. Great crowds, and lot's of fun entertainment to view on the side of the course. … MORE
Beautiful course, some rolling hills but nothing that will truly knock you on your butt. Great crowds, and lot’s of fun entertainment to view on the side of the course. Big, easy parking area, highly recommend.
An absolutely beautiful race!
I had no idea what to expect going into this race and it was the first of three marathons in 60 days for me. It was one of the most … MORE
I had no idea what to expect going into this race and it was the first of three marathons in 60 days for me. It was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever run. Gorgeous scenery and a course that is both challenging and comfortable to run. I recommend this race to everyone!!
Great Winter Race
If you're looking to run any running events during Winter season (not really winter in Southern California), this is the perfect race for you. Although there are some rolling hills … MORE
If you’re looking to run any running events during Winter season (not really winter in Southern California), this is the perfect race for you. Although there are some rolling hills that are not that steep but doable, the best part of the race is you run through the views of the Pacific Ocean beginning in Mile 3 to Mile 10 (turn around after Mile 7).
Great course
I would definitely recommend this race. Very scenic course, and the weather was perfect. The only thing I would somehow change is the out and back course. MORE
I would definitely recommend this race. Very scenic course, and the weather was perfect. The only thing I would somehow change is the out and back course.
Uninterrupted coastal views
Great PR course - flat with a couple rollers. Fully aided. Great swag! First half marathon after baby Amelia was born (10 months) and a great reliable flat course to … MORE
Great PR course – flat with a couple rollers. Fully aided. Great swag!
First half marathon after baby Amelia was born (10 months) and a great reliable flat course to get back at it! Plenty of mall parking for family / beer garden / great cool time of year. Carlsbad I’d also my hometown so nostalgic to run these roads!
Lots of fun!
This race is very fun - especially if you're coming from altitude. There is some elevation change (an overpass) to keep it spicy on the way out, and then you … MORE
This race is very fun – especially if you’re coming from altitude. There is some elevation change (an overpass) to keep it spicy on the way out, and then you get a nice downhill on the way back. The only thing I wish was different was we didn’t run far enough to get near the ocean!
Hilly, coastal, and scenic!
The Carlsbad Half Marathon remains one of my faves— coastal, beautiful, and hilly! Even the cloudy, cold weather couldn’t dampen this year’s race. Expo / pick-up: -This year’s expo and … MORE
The Carlsbad Half Marathon remains one of my faves— coastal, beautiful, and hilly! Even the cloudy, cold weather couldn’t dampen this year’s race.
Expo / pick-up:
-This year’s expo and packet pick-up was at the Holiday Inn Carlsbad, just over a mile from the airport. The parking lot was big but also busy! Shirt and packet pick-up was convenient in the hotel’s main ballroom, where you could also check out official race gear. I wish there were more shirt designs, though. Sponsor exhibits took up the hotel’s outdoor courtyard if you need to pick up some last-minute sunglasses, socks, or recovery gear, while posing with some official photo backdrops.
Parking/Pre-race:
-The start area was set at the southwest side of the Shoppes at Carlsbad, along the corner of Marron Road and Monroe St. The nice thing about staging the start/finish at a mall: so much available parking. The same applied to port-a-potties as well, plentiful. Gear-check was offered for an additional fee via Mobile Locker, with prices ranging from $10-20 depending on the locker size. Because the start line is so close to the parking lot, I think it’s easier to just access stuff from your car. However, if you plan to plan to arrive late/park farther away, or are relying on alternate transportation, the lockers are worth considering. The start corrals were spaced out along Marron Road and divided by wave numbers and pacing groups—faster runners up front.
Course:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is an out-and-back course, with Miles 1-2 heading southwest away from the mall, through residential areas, and over the 5 Freeway. This early portion feels crowded and has the narrowest paths, including a turnaround where State St and Carlsbad Blvd intersect. This was my least favorite part of the course because you’re nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with all the other runners. The race really opens up at Mile 3 when you finally get nice views of Carlsbad State Beach. The sun (stubbornly obscured by clouds this year), the water, the sea breeze… it all comes together magnificently. Most of this Carlsbad Boulevard stretch is elevated above beach-level, so you get an unobstructed view of the water. It makes for some picture-perfect moments if you want some selfies. The hills roll up and down for a few miles to keep things interesting, as the elevation grants great views at the cost of your legs. Just before Mile 7, you hit a turnaround that takes you on a parallel road back, so you see the same beaches as before, now from the opposite direction. The crowd support is strong around the turnaround point. You roughly re-trace the first half of the course, with a few tweaks including skipping the early turnaround, then hit the finish line by turning into the Shoppes parking lot at the corner of Marron and Monroe.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-Even on a cloudy day, the scenery is great! Miles 3-10 run along the coast, and the elevated road makes for soothing views. There were water stations every mile, so hydration was sufficient. Crowd support was good, including DJs, local bands (the rapper at Mile 2 was fun), run groups and local businesses. Because runners’ names are printed in all-caps on your bibs, random supporters could easily cheer you on by name (instead of “Let’s go, Runner 101!”). It’s a fun surprise! Race day weather was cold for January, starting in the mid-50s at the start line, and barely inched up by the time I arrived at the finish line.
Post-race:
-Finish-line goodies were conveniently packaged in brown paper bags—I appreciate this because (1) Covid concerns, (2) it’s faster to grab just one bag instead of stopping at multiple stations, and (3) there have been so many post-races where I’m stumbling, exhausted, and trying to juggle water and snacks in two hands. Exhaustion can lead to lack of coordination! The bagged refreshments included: bananas, aluminum bottles of Heart Water, Hollandia chocolate milk, Partners sea salt crackers, chocolate-flavor JamBar, and a Dole Papaya & Mango fruit cup. The post-race festival outside the Shoppes featured live music, a beer festival, massages, food trucks, and tents for sponsors and merch sales. Lines will be long for the three photo op backdrops: the Half Marathon, the Double Down Challenge, and the Triple Crown.
Swag:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon always has great swag. The finisher medal featured a lifeguard tower in front of a sunset beach, with pastel colors of teal, orange, and red. Flip the medal around for the event name, date, and info in silver, all looped with a light orange/green ribbon. If you do the 5k earlier that morning, you also score the Double Down Challenge medal, a rounded square in a dark turquoise color. A “16.2” circle swivels near the center to announce the total number of miles you ran! The official half marathon race shirt was a white, long-sleeve tech shirt with the Carlsbad lifeguard tower logo front and center. My favorite piece of kit was the gray quarter-zip long-sleeve shirt, with the Carlsbad logo printed vertically across the front, and thumb-holes in the sleeves. Very comfy. My only quibble with any of the race materials this year was the Double Down Challenge bib. The pastel color scheme is great, but your bib number and name are printed in white, which sometimes blends too easily into the background. Maybe outline the white numbers with a darker color next time?
Bottom-line:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a fantastic race, and one of my favorite running events. The elevated coastal views, strong production/support, and great energy make it fun day of racing. I’m already looking forward to next year!
My Favorite First Race of the Year
I guided a Blind Athlete on his 2nd marathon towards his quest to become a Para-olympian. Jeff Mata shaved 41 minutes from his last marathon. Course is perfect for athletes … MORE
I guided a Blind Athlete on his 2nd marathon towards his quest to become a Para-olympian. Jeff Mata shaved 41 minutes from his last marathon. Course is perfect for athletes requiring additional space. However; it is a tough course , but this is exactly what he needed to prepare for Boston 2023. Race organizers and volunteers were incredible.
Cool cloudy day on a beautiful course
Swag was awesome. Two long sleeves shirts, with the option of fitted. Lots of aid stations. This is only my 2nd half marathon, but I can see that I don't … MORE
Swag was awesome. Two long sleeves shirts, with the option of fitted. Lots of aid stations. This is only my 2nd half marathon, but I can see that I don’t like the “out and back” version as much as “point to point”. But all in all, I would definitely do this one again. Very well organized and had a great time.
Fun Run Along the Coast
Really enjoyed this race. Outstanding swag (t shirt and quarter zip) and excellent production. Race Day was cloudy and cool, which was great, I could see it being rough in … MORE
Really enjoyed this race. Outstanding swag (t shirt and quarter zip) and excellent production. Race Day was cloudy and cool, which was great, I could see it being rough in the full sun as there’s little or no covered areas. But all in all a great run!
Great views, rolling course
Had a great time with the Carlsbad half. Loved running along the ocean for most of it. Would not be into it if I had done the full marathon as … MORE
Had a great time with the Carlsbad half. Loved running along the ocean for most of it. Would not be into it if I had done the full marathon as they just essentially double the same course. All in all, would do it again. Race swag was legit.
Great hilly, coastal run!
If you love a cool breeze, beautiful coastal views, and steady hills, you’ll love the Carlsbad Half Marathon. Expo / pick-up: -This year’s expo and pick-up was at the Holiday … MORE
If you love a cool breeze, beautiful coastal views, and steady hills, you’ll love the Carlsbad Half Marathon.
Expo / pick-up:
-This year’s expo and pick-up was at the Holiday Inn Carlsbad. The parking lot was packed. Shirt pick-up was quick and easy in one of the ballrooms, while sponsor exhibits and merch sales were available in the hotel’s outdoor courtyard. I was there within an hour of opening on the first day, and race merch selection was already a bit sparse, especially when it came to sizing. Bummer!
Parking/Pre-race:
– The start area was located along the southwest corner of the Shoppes at Carlsbad, along Marron Road. One of the nice things about staging the start/finish at a mall: all the parking you could ever want. The same applied to port-a-potties as well, plentiful. Gear-check was offered for an additional fee (boo!) but because the staging area is so close to the parking lot, I think it’s just as easy to access stuff from your car. Still, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re relying on alternate modes of transportation. The start corrals were nicely spaced out along Marron Road, and divided by wave numbers and pacing groups.
Course:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon course is an out-and-back, with Miles 1-2 breaking away from the mall, through some residential areas, and over the 5 Freeway. This early portion feels slightly crowded and has the narrowest paths, including a turnaround where State St and Carlsbad Blvd intersect. This was my least favorite part of the course. The race feels like it REALLY begins at Mile 3, as you finally get to run with lovely views of Carlsbad State Beach. The sun, the water, the sea breeze, everything starts to come together as advertised. Unlike some other coastal runs I’ve done, most of the Carlsbad Boulevard route is elevated above beach-level, so you get an unobstructed view of the water. It’s very nice! There are constant rolling hills every mile or two that make for challenging ups and fun downs. Just before Mile 7, you hit a turnaround that takes you back on a parallel road, so you see much of the same beaches but from the opposite direction. From there, you’re basically re-tracing the first half of the course, with a few minor tweaks including skipping the early turnaround, and ending at the corner of Marron and Monroe.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-As mentioned above, the scenery is great! Miles 3-10 run along the coast, and the elevated road makes for soothing views. No complaints about hydration, as there were water/Nuun stations every mile or so. Race officials did email us a few days before the race that the official gel supplements had been delayed, so that was a bummer, but not a big deal as I was self-fueling. Crowd support was good, including DJs, local bands, run groups and businesses, and got better as the race extended later into the morning. One thing I noticed during the race was that since runner names were pretty prominent on the race bibs, random supporters could more easily cheer on random runners by name (instead of “Let’s go, Runner 101!”). It’s a fun and unexpected feeling! Race day weather was cool and pleasant, starting in the upper 50s at the start line, and going into the mid-60s by the time I reached the finish line.
Post-race:
-Finish-line goodies were conveniently pre-packaged in brown paper bags—I appreciate this because (1) Covid concerns, (2) faster to grab just one bag instead of stopping at multiple stations, and (3) there have been way too many post-races where I’m stumbling, exhausted, and trying to juggle water and snacks. The refreshments included: bananas, Qure water, Hollandia chocolate milk, Partners sea salt crackers, Chewy granola bar, Dole oranges fruit cup, Organifi drink mix. I also picked up some Suja coconut protein drinks from one of the vendors. Post-race festival outside the Shoppes featured live music, a beer festival, massages, food trucks, and tents for sponsors and merch sales.
Swag:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon race swag this year was pretty nifty. I liked the finisher medal, featuring just the race’s new, circular red/orange/yellow sunset and blue wave logo in the front. Flip the medal around for the event name, date, and info in silver, all looped with a blue ribbon. Race shirt was a white, long-sleeve tech shirt with the same colorful race logo front and center. Bonus: a black, long-sleeve jacket with a corner chest Carlsbad logo, and thumb-holes in the sleeves. There were a few undone threads on my jacket, but it’s still pretty nice!
Bottom-line:
-The Carlsbad Half Marathon is a really top-notch race, with elevated coastal views, strong production/support, and great energy. I had a great time and can’t wait to run it again!
Double Down
If you are able to complete the 5K before the half then you can do the Double Down Challenge. This 5K is just the first bit of the half. A … MORE
If you are able to complete the 5K before the half then you can do the Double Down Challenge. This 5K is just the first bit of the half. A quick out and back with lots of course support. Watch your time. You have to be finished and back in the corrals before the half starts.
Beautiful Course with Just Enough Hills
I really love this course. I first ran it 20 years ago, and hadn't been back since. The ocean views are spectacular. There are some pretty long gradual hills that … MORE
I really love this course. I first ran it 20 years ago, and hadn’t been back since. The ocean views are spectacular. There are some pretty long gradual hills that were pretty challenging, but overall it was pretty fast. Love the swag – 3/4 quarter zip AND a long sleeve tech shirt – can’t beat that. I PR’d … I’ll definitely be back!