Join THOUSANDS of runners for the annual Surfing Madonna Beach Run 1K, 5K, 10K & 12K on this October in the heart of Encinitas, California! You’ll run along the most beautiful beaches in North County San Diego during low tide! All runners and walkers will start & finish at the …
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Join THOUSANDS of runners for the annual Surfing Madonna Beach Run 1K, 5K, 10K & 12K on this October in the heart of Encinitas, California! You’ll run along the most beautiful beaches in North County San Diego during low tide!
All runners and walkers will start & finish at the world famous Moonlight Beach. The entire course runs alongside crashing surf and steep cliffs on the hard-packed sand during low tide. There will be turnaround flags on the beach for your distance as well as fuel stations at almost every mile that will have water and Ultima Replenisher. Keep an eye out for sea lions and dolphins! They are spotted every year!
This race won the Guinness Book of World Record title in 2017 for the “Largest Race on Sand” and no one has been able to break that record since.
All entries include the BEST SWAG:
– Super Soft Race Shirt
– HUGE Wooden Finisher’s Medal
– Large Ocean Mug!
– TONS of Sponsor Swag
– Professional Chip Timing with Awards & Live Tracking
– Unique OCEANFRONT course
– Personalized Bib (must register before Sept 20)
– Finish Line Fest: Live Music, Sponsor Treats & Celebration!
– PHOTO BOOTH by AW Snap – FREE digital photos!
– On-course fuel stations with Ultima Replenisher
– Course Entertainment!
Best of all, the net proceeds are used to fund AMAZING local ocean awareness programs that benefit children with special needs, disabled veterans, marine mammals, marine biology students, and much more! This is more than a race, it’s a cause (with a running addiction!)
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Amazing scenery
I have participated in this race for the past 2 years. For starters, it’s on the beach so you have all this beautiful scenery surrounding you. The staff and volunteers … MORE
I have participated in this race for the past 2 years. For starters, it’s on the beach so you have all this beautiful scenery surrounding you. The staff and volunteers are very nice and helpful. Brad went above and beyond to help with my running cause. My buddy Franki loves her race swag and this run has some of the coolest and biggest medals. Yes, parking can be difficult but look at it as a nice cool down after your run. I usually find parking within about half a mile of the start line. Lastly, and so important to know, this race raises money for some amazing causes.
So much fun!
My first beach run. Challenging at times, such as jumping over/going around water, which made finishing even more rewarding. I’ll be back! MORE
My first beach run. Challenging at times, such as jumping over/going around water, which made finishing even more rewarding. I’ll be back!
Best experience with my 7 year old
This race was such a great experience with my son who was 7 years old at the time. It was a great workout and not too hard. Beautiful scenery, we … MORE
This race was such a great experience with my son who was 7 years old at the time. It was a great workout and not too hard. Beautiful scenery, we had fun splashing in the water along the way and listening to the waves rushing ashore. They had tasty swag that definitely made me want to buy the products. I would love to do this one again with my son and bring more friends!
Love this race!
I was entered as a challenger since I was also running the Encinitas half. The course was quite rocky this year since the tides were not behaving and the usual … MORE
I was entered as a challenger since I was also running the Encinitas half. The course was quite rocky this year since the tides were not behaving and the usual 15 k washout to just doing a 10 k. I was with this since the rocky course made it challenging. I love doing this race and plan to do it every year. My 1st the running this race made me move to SanDiego from LA. It s very well sponsored. the crowd was great and its for a good cause.
Beautiful beach run
I would highly recommend this race because of the gorgeous views. I loved the finisher medals and the soft shirt. The expo was nice too! The sand was quite hard … MORE
I would highly recommend this race because of the gorgeous views. I loved the finisher medals and the soft shirt. The expo was nice too! The sand was quite hard to run in.
Feel Good - Coolest Race!
Well organized race at beautiful beach and location. Cool looking medals and reasonably priced swag purchases. Love the joining this race knowing part of fees go to make others smile! MORE
Well organized race at beautiful beach and location. Cool looking medals and reasonably priced swag purchases. Love the joining this race knowing part of fees go to make others smile!
Hardest 10k Ever
I entered the challenge and was glad the 12k was downgraded to a 10k. I’ve run on various terrain throughout the country and am often pushing my twins in the … MORE
I entered the challenge and was glad the 12k was downgraded to a 10k. I’ve run on various terrain throughout the country and am often pushing my twins in the double (even on trails). With all the rocks and the blaring sun, this race was more difficult! BUT it was beautiful and the energy and signs were amazing.
Great race to run in SoCal
This is one of those races you need to run at least once in your lifetime. Running on sand with wet shoes was not fun BUT being able to run … MORE
This is one of those races you need to run at least once in your lifetime. Running on sand with wet shoes was not fun BUT being able to run on the shore and having all the beautiful sounds of the waves and the ocean view was amazing. The swag bag and medal were pretty great too. The best thing about the race for me was not having to wake up early to run!
good sinerey
get ready for breath taking views! well organized event, great wheather, good timing beautiful medal no complimentary loved my time there get ready for a good time, great place to … MORE
get ready for breath taking views! well organized event, great wheather, good timing beautiful medal
no complimentary loved my time there
get ready for a good time, great place to pr
Great run
If I have to do a run on the beach, this is the one I would do. The location is gorgeous and it's a blast being able to run with … MORE
If I have to do a run on the beach, this is the one I would do. The location is gorgeous and it’s a blast being able to run with so many all at the same time. I’ve done the race both as a 5k and as a 10k and it’s pretty exhausting for me compared to others. There’s something tough about being on the low tide beach so I take it easy on myself for this one and really let myself enjoy it. I find that my knees tend to be more tired since there’s a slight sideways incline the entire time. I’m not the norm, but I would recommend perhaps putting plastic bags between your socks and your shoes to keep your feet dry. My first year, I let my feet get wet and it made for some irritated feet by the end.
Beautiful scenery...fun crowd
Beautiful scenery. Fun crowd. The t-shirts were very good quality. Parking is tricky...carpool or take the coaster in. Super nice staff and volunteers. I would definitely recommend this race to … MORE
Beautiful scenery. Fun crowd. The t-shirts were very good quality. Parking is tricky…carpool or take the coaster in. Super nice staff and volunteers. I would definitely recommend this race to others and plan to do again. I’m also pleased to see an option to purchase a parent/child combo race entry.
What's not to love??
This race has everything I could possibly ask for: It's on a Saturday, on the sand so we can splash in the water, the proceeds go toward great charities and … MORE
This race has everything I could possibly ask for: It’s on a Saturday, on the sand so we can splash in the water, the proceeds go toward great charities and the community and leadership are truly loving, supportive and give more than they take! I have sponsored this race and run it and as long as I can, I will participate!!!
largest beach run in the world!
This race in the afternoon , the course is 100% on the beach over compact sand, the organization is the best i had experienced, cool swag , lots of vendors … MORE
This race in the afternoon , the course is 100% on the beach over compact sand, the organization is the best i had experienced, cool swag , lots of vendors , great festival
The run is not difficult at all , totally flat the sand is not loose so is not a problem running over it
The event offers distances for all ages and one of the best medals i ever seen
Run Beach run!
Very organize, love the atmosphere minus the modified route due to last min weather/tide. Didn’t expect to actually run ON sand which made it more semi difficult. I was ok … MORE
Very organize, love the atmosphere minus the modified route due to last min weather/tide. Didn’t expect to actually run ON sand which made it more semi difficult. I was ok with that, it made up for the modified route. Love that they announce your name at finish line! Pretty scenery, don’t forget sunscreen!👍
Beautiful run
This was my first time running this race and I have to say it was one of the most beautiful races I've ever done. You can't beat running right next … MORE
This was my first time running this race and I have to say it was one of the most beautiful races I’ve ever done. You can’t beat running right next to the ocean. Running on the sand makes it a little bit more difficult but none the less I was so distracted by the ocean and the waves that I didn’t even mind the sand. It wasn’t crowded and everyone seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and the waves as they ran. Another perk of this race besides the course is the cute shirt you get as a participant. I definitely want to do this one again.
This is a one in a million race
This race is scenic and flat. For those competitive runners the hard packed sand is not difficult to run on but be prepared for wet shoes and socks. The beaches … MORE
This race is scenic and flat. For those competitive runners the hard packed sand is not difficult to run on but be prepared for wet shoes and socks. The beaches are clean and beautiful and each time I have ran the race the weather was great!
Nature does not have a watch
I've run a guesstimate of 75 10k races over the last 26+ years. The 2018 Surfing Madonna was my slowest finish and probably one of, if not THE toughest I've … MORE
I’ve run a guesstimate of 75 10k races over the last 26+ years. The 2018 Surfing Madonna was my slowest finish and probably one of, if not THE toughest I’ve ever run. This issue is, they try to time it so the low tide is at the lowest point so there is plenty of hard-pack beach to run on. Pacific storms can throw a wrench into this, not to mention the whole nature thing.
I saw photos from previous years and it looked like a fun way to experience running on the beach. What none of the photos show (and for all I know, this is the first time this occurred), is that at least a mile of the 6.2 miles is almost unrunnable. That would be rocks about the size of small plums covering the entire area except the surf and the loose sand up the berm. They were 2-3 layers deep, meaning you could prance over them, but definitely not run unless you were wearing serious trail shoes. There was about another mile or more of scattered rocks that you could pick your way through.
By mile 2 (on my watch) I gave up trying to A. keep from twisting an ankle and B. keep my shoes dry and ended up running most of the 10k in the water or on very wet sand.
I think the scenery might have been nice, but I knew looking up from the ground could mean a fall or twisted ankle. That might also be why I didn’t see any mile markers until mile 4.
The 5k runners’ turn around spot was mid-return for the 10k runners, and with no actual lanes on a beach, it was a mess trying to run around walkers, avoid rocks, avoid water….you get the picture. I was glad to be in the top 1/4 of the 10k runners at the 10k turn around because I bet that was another crowded area when it got heavy with bodies.
The 12k was cancelled due to “rough conditions” and those registrants were told to run the 10k. I don’t know if they were reimbursed.
With a start time of 10:40 and very few clouds, it was a warm race. Wear sunblock!! My upper back is sunburned, didn’t think to cover that. I also wore a visor which was very helpful.
The age groups were 10 years deep instead of 5, so I ended up up 11th; had they been 5 year increments, I would have finished 3rd; I’m in the last year of that 10 year span. No big deal to me; my finish time would be the same. I was honestly miserable at the end and that is very unusual for me; most tough races leave me feeling energized and proud of finishing them.
I saw a few people with bananas, but have no idea where they got them although someone did give me a box of water.
I saw a very long line for some food in the pre-race booths area, but couldn’t even see what was in the booth. I was so wiped out I just left (at that point I didn’t even know about the 10-year age groups and didn’t care if I might have placed; I wanted food.)
To get decent parking, you have to arrive early and sit for a couple hours; bring reading material!
The swag was very nice: a very cool medal and matching mug, a reusable bamboo straw and some soap samples in the mug. If you don’t live locally and can’t drive there on both Saturday for packet pick up and Sunday for the race, there is a fee to pick up your bib Sunday morning. When I registered it was $10 but sometime after that they changed it to $12. I had to show them my confirmation email proving I had agreed to the $10 fee.
I’m glad I ran this as it was a good reminder of how humbling a tough race can be, but I would not run it again.
Whew!
Great fun! Kinda tough for me running a bit off cambered on the sand but still enjoyed the day. This was for the Guinness Book record so that was awesome! MORE
Great fun! Kinda tough for me running a bit off cambered on the sand but still enjoyed the day. This was for the Guinness Book record so that was awesome!
Fun but challenging and for a good cause
It is harder to run in sand. It is a lot harder to run with a stroller on sand. I started this race pushing a 50 lb. 7 year old … MORE
It is harder to run in sand. It is a lot harder to run with a stroller on sand. I started this race pushing a 50 lb. 7 year old in a jogging stroller. I had completed an 8K with two 50 lb. 7 year olds less than a month prior but there was no way I was finishing 15K with the stroller. Luckily I passed the stroller off to my husband after the first turn around and finished the distance on my own. I got a little wet and sandy but enjoyed the challenge of a longer distance 100% on the beach. Also, this race t-shirt is one of my favorites for fit and comfort. I don’t stop for food or drink when I race so don’t really notice aid stations but I don’t remember a lot on the course. I believe they have changed the distances to be shorter which I think is a good idea. A challenge is nice but 9 miles of sand is more than enough.
Beautiful run!
I wasn’t sure how difficult running on the sand would be, but to my surprise not hard at all. It was gorgeous and fun! I would definitely do it again! … MORE
I wasn’t sure how difficult running on the sand would be, but to my surprise not hard at all. It was gorgeous and fun! I would definitely do it again!