I get why this is the original Rock N Roll race, and I loved. The course was decent, it had some great parts and some other not so great areas. … MORE
I get why this is the original Rock N Roll race, and I loved. The course was decent, it had some great parts and some other not so great areas. RnR after party has really changed, not the same as it used to be. The expos are also much smaller and have less offerings. Overall, this was a nice race and the weather was great.
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The OG
I get why this is the original Rock N Roll race, and I loved. The course was decent, it had some great parts and some other not so great areas. … MORE
I get why this is the original Rock N Roll race, and I loved. The course was decent, it had some great parts and some other not so great areas. RnR after party has really changed, not the same as it used to be. The expos are also much smaller and have less offerings. Overall, this was a nice race and the weather was great.
Big race and difficult to find parking.
Typical Rock and Roll event..large crowds..buy entry early!! Expo was filled with LuluLemon apparel which had a lot to choose from...lots of cool gear to buy. The weather was fantastic … MORE
Typical Rock and Roll event..large crowds..buy entry early!! Expo was filled with LuluLemon apparel which had a lot to choose from…lots of cool gear to buy. The weather was fantastic for running that day..overcast and cool.
A rockin’, rollickin’ good run
Rock n Roll San Diego’s Half Marathon is fantastic. The energy and atmosphere is exactly what you want from a big race, and it makes each and every mile so … MORE
Rock n Roll San Diego’s Half Marathon is fantastic. The energy and atmosphere is exactly what you want from a big race, and it makes each and every mile so much fun.
Expo / pick-up:
-The expo, staged at the San Diego Convention Center, was efficient and well-organized: spacious areas for bib pickup, followed by race shirts, official merch, photo-ops, exhibits, then sponsors and vendors. I appreciated the clear pick-up bags we got. They’re great for carrying all your expo goodies, and necessary for race-day gear drop. My favorite merch items were the 5k/Half/Marathon shirts with all racers’ names printed in alphabetical order—provided that you registered in time! San Diego is home to the first Rock ‘n’ Roll running events, so there’s a nice exhibit showing the event’s history and all the medal designs over the years.
Parking:
-Convention center parking is tough because you really don’t have many options other than the $20 spots in the underground garage. For race day, I used the Spot Hero app, as recommended by the event website, and found $20 parking about halfway between the start and finish areas. Don’t worry too much if it feels like you’re parking far from the start line. On race-day morning, you’ll find so many other runners making the same long march in the same general direction.
Pre-race:
-The official start line is at 6th Ave and Quince St, but the energy, music, crowds, and port-a-potty lines start once you cross 6th Ave and Laurel St/the El Prado Bridge. Remember to bring your expo-issued clear plastic bags if you opt for gear-check, located in trucks on the east side of the grassy start area. Runners line up along 6th Ave, separated by numerous corrals marked by large guitar picks, and are released in waves upon the race’s start. In prior years, the start line also used a turnstile/gate to break the wave starts into even smaller waves, which reduced congestion. However, removing that this year led to some slow-downs in the first half mile or so. Bring back the mini-waves!
Course:
-Miles 1-4 head north away from Balboa Park, then east through the Hillcrest and University Heights neighborhoods. There are some hills around Mile 2 that start to thin the crowds, but the course here is otherwise friendly and charged with early-morning race energy.
-Miles 4-8 make a winding loop through some residential neighborhoods in Normal Heights. The streets are narrower and cozier here, with plenty of local San Diegans out to cheer you on or offer home-made refreshments. I counted at least two little stands offering shots and beer!
-Miles 8-13.1 make for an eventful finale to the race. The full Marathon splits off from the Half Marathon at around Mile 8, and shortly after, the Half course enters the northeast corner of Balboa Park. What feels like the toughest hills of the course kick in around Mile 9 and 10. They’re not the worst hills in the world, but their placement so late in the race are a real challenge. Luckily, race sponsor Biofreeze has a little pit-stop area here where they’ll blast you down with a pain-relief spray if you need. It’s all pretty much downhill (literally, elevation-wise) from here, zooming through Balboa Park, under the 5-Freeway tunnel at Mile 12, then into downtown San Diego for the raucous finish line. There’s some real momentum in the final miles that make it so much fun!
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-The Rock n Roll race series’ claim to fame is the music and entertainment, and the San Diego Half truly rocks. Every mile or so, you’ll encounter rock bands, DJs, a drag show, a Ron Burgundy impersonator (“Stay classy, San Diego!”), a mariachi band, a Top Gun-era Tom Cruise impersonator, cheerleaders, or a taiko drum group. It’s rarely quiet, and you’re never bored. Compared to prior years, my one disappointment is the missing disco-lights in the Mile 12 tunnel. There was a DJ at the tunnel entrance instead, which was ok, but those colorful, dancing lights were a really special touch, especially so close to the end. Bring back the disco lights! Water support and port-a-potties were plentiful. Weather was cool and completely overcast, with temperatures going from 60F at the start to 63F at the finish.
Post-race:
-Cross the finish-line, celebrate with your finisher medal, and grab refreshments: water, a banana, granola bars, Goldfish crackers, Mott’s fruit snacks, and Gatorade. There are several official photo backdrops available (great!), but I wish they were set further down the finisher chute. Their location so close to the finish line creates some traffic jams. Runners are funneled several blocks eastward down Ash St towards the waterfront finish festival, and it’s a nice set-up. There’s an alphabetized family reunion area, gear check pick-up, food trucks, photo opportunities, merchandise sales, Remix Challenge medal pick-up (if you also did the 5k), medal engraving, and wide-open green space to cool-down and stretch. Live music by bands and DJs plays from the main stage, creating a really festive mood along the waterfront. As you make your post-race exit, remember that many roads are closed, so make your transportation arrangements accordingly.
Swag:
-The Half Marathon was a black tech shirt, with some palm tree graphics and blue/orange gradient lines, and a large “1998” in multi-line font style, celebrating Rock n Roll San Diego’s 25th Anniversary. The colorful design is nice, but I’m not a fan of black race shirts since they blend in with so much running gear that already comes in black. The Half Marathon medal is a big, round, dark silver disc, “13.1” text centered in a white multi-line font, with blue/yellow/orange gradient lines in the background, and palm trees on the side, looped with a light orange ribbon. If you ran the 5k, you’ll also score a Remix Challenge medal: a black metal DJ turntable, where the record can swivel between “Remix Challenge” on one side, and the orange “Rock n Roll San Diego” logo on the other side. I wish the Remix medal more clearly showed the year.
Bottom-line:
-Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego is such a fun, well-produced event. The energy, music, and atmosphere really set it apart from other races, and I highly recommend it!
Great excuse to see San Diego
The race is a first class production. The course has two challenging hills once you break away from the half marathoners. Lots of aid and medical stations that are well … MORE
The race is a first class production. The course has two challenging hills once you break away from the half marathoners. Lots of aid and medical stations that are well stocked. The post race party and its location is probably the best out of the Rock-n-Rolls I have done.
Big time
Nothing like getting up at 4:30 am to get ready to run with 25,000 other runners and walkers in both events. Weather was perfect for the event, the course had … MORE
Nothing like getting up at 4:30 am to get ready to run with 25,000 other runners and walkers in both events. Weather was perfect for the event, the course had great aid stations. The course had rolling hills, downhill near the end. The crowds of spectators were everywhere. It really helped , music was always and added bonus.
Hilly course!
This course was the hilliest course I’ve ever ran, just because the handful of hills you ran were very steep. I was a little disappointed because the corral’s were not … MORE
This course was the hilliest course I’ve ever ran, just because the handful of hills you ran were very steep. I was a little disappointed because the corral’s were not announced so I ended up just running with the last group, not that I’m super fast but it was just confusing. I was also pretty disappointed with the race packets but maybe this is usual for bigger races.
Hilly for a coast marathon!
The weather was great, the production of the race was very good, and overall the race was better than I expected. The hill that we had to climb at mile … MORE
The weather was great, the production of the race was very good, and overall the race was better than I expected. The hill that we had to climb at mile 22 was super tough. I was on track to have a PR until I hit that. The crowds throughout the race were very encouraging.
Big time race in San Diego
Huge race in downtown San Diego with a ton of people so give yourself a lot of time because those port e potty lines are serious! Decent scenery spanning through … MORE
Huge race in downtown San Diego with a ton of people so give yourself a lot of time because those port e potty lines are serious! Decent scenery spanning through some of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods with big crowds and a lot of spirit.
Rock N Roll SD Did not disappoint!
This was my first Rock n roll race and it was so much fun! The course did beat me up a bit, there are definitely some hills in San Diego! … MORE
This was my first Rock n roll race and it was so much fun! The course did beat me up a bit, there are definitely some hills in San Diego! But so much crowd support and fun keeps you going. The post race festivities and beautiful weather topped off a great race day.
Course was underwhelming
This is my second time running the San Diego half and it was a little overwhelming for me. The route wasn't very scenic, and it was uphill most of the … MORE
This is my second time running the San Diego half and it was a little overwhelming for me.
The route wasn’t very scenic, and it was uphill most of the time. The finish line was hectic probably since it was in downtown, it was tough for spectators or for finished runners to get pictures and enjoyed the race after.
I am a big fan of RnR so i am only making a comparisons to the other cities I have run in.
Just Another Race
Completed Full Marathon. It's very good half marathon for the crowd and excitement around Full marathon course is bored after 14th mile as it takes to some lonely trail. The … MORE
Completed Full Marathon. It’s very good half marathon for the crowd and excitement around
Full marathon course is bored after 14th mile as it takes to some lonely trail. The hwy 163 is another stretch that js not exciting with long hwy till we reach downtown again.
Oh that Hill!
Outstanding race production and outside of that BRUTAL hill (on an empty freeway) in miles 22-24, a great race. Fun vibe with all of the bands and the course itself … MORE
Outstanding race production and outside of that BRUTAL hill (on an empty freeway) in miles 22-24, a great race. Fun vibe with all of the bands and the course itself looping through neighborhoods and other San Diego sites. Just make sure you conserve your energy for that last hill. If the sun is out, it’ll be a killer.
Be ready for unexpected hills
My pace was great for the first half even though there were a lot of hills. About 20 miles in you run on highway 163. That section is a very … MORE
My pace was great for the first half even though there were a lot of hills. About 20 miles in you run on highway 163. That section is a very long grinding hill. Be more ready than I was. The time I gained in the first half was lost there. Overall a great event. Wish I was more aware of the hills during my training.
Atmosphere and energy? Yes, please!
The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon is a fun, high-energy race done right. Outside of Disney events, it’s hard to find many other races with this level of … MORE
The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon is a fun, high-energy race done right. Outside of Disney events, it’s hard to find many other races with this level of atmosphere and support.
Expo / pick-up:
-The expo at the San Diego Convention Center was well-organized with plentiful, designated bib and shirt pick-up stations, as well as a start-corral adjustment table. I appreciated the vaccine/negative test check at the entrance. So many of us race because of health, and it’s nice that they took this seriously. I also loved the clear pick-up bags we got. They’re so handy for carrying all your race and expo goodies, and necessary for gear drop at the longer races. I don’t understand why some races try to cheap out by not giving these bags. Like most big expos, there’s a spacious area for race weekend merch and the primary shoe sponsor (Brooks this year). My favorite pieces of merch were the 5k/Half/Marathon shirts with all the racers’ names printed on them in alphabetical order—the catch being that you had to have registered for the races at least 60 days early. I wish I’d registered earlier, and this neat little perk is something the Rock ‘n’ Roll organizers should advertise more! The San Diego version of the Rock ‘n’ Roll running events is apparently the original, and the expo set up a neat display of all the medal designs throughout the years, as well as all the bonus medals you can earn for completing multiple Rock ‘n’ Roll races. They’re so bling-tastic and do a good job of appealing to all the medal-collecting completionists out there 🙂
Parking:
-Convention center parking for the expo was unfortunately $20. I tried finding cheaper alternatives, but couldn’t find anything more reasonable. For race day, I went with the race-recommended Spot Hero app, and found $20 parking that was a few blocks from the finish line, but a bit farther from the start line. It wasn’t a big deal because so many other runners were also making the same trek to the start line, so every few blocks this long parade of runners would grow.
Pre-race:
-The start line begins at 6th Ave and Quince St, but once you get close to 6th Ave and Laurel St/the El Prado Bridge, the music starts kicking in and the port-a-potty lines emerge (hallelujah!). Gear check was a breeze—remember to bring the clear bags and zip ties from the expo. Just like the 5k from the previous day, runners were divided into multiple corrals—at least 25 corrals, marked by giant guitar picks (get it? Rock and roll?). One implementation I really admired was the staggered corral starts. Most races will release entire corrals are released at once. Then you’re expected to cross the start line on your own timing, and end up navigating a congested, slow-mo stampede from the start? The Rock ‘n’ Roll organizers solved this issue by releasing runners in each corral in 5-sec mini-waves, signaled by countdown lights and horns. This way, you can launch out of the start line into a more wide-open road! I hope this practice becomes more commonplace.
Course:
-The Half Marathon course primarily winds around Balboa Park, through North Park, Normal Heights, and East San Diego, then back to Balboa and Downtown. I think the elevation change can be best described as gentle rolling hills, with a few bigger hills sprinkled throughout—nothing too extreme. The first “big” hill was around mile 3. It thinned the crowds a bit, but I think it came early enough in the course that I felt fresh enough to speed through. The hills before and after mile 10, right as you re-enter the northeast corner of Balboa Park, caught me a bit off guard. They weren’t huge by any means, but tired legs at that point made them a chore! The good news? It’s all pretty much downhill (literally) from that point on! You zoom south through Balboa towards downtown—and with the downhill slope combined with the mental momentum of knowing you’re in the final stretch, it makes for an exciting finish.
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-With a name like “Rock ‘n’ Roll” in the event name, you’d think that music would be important to the race. And you’d be right! There’s plenty of on-course entertainment, including multiple bands and DJs, a drag show, a Johnny Cash tribute, cheer squads, a Ron Burgundy impersonator (I almost slowed down to hear more jokes), and a pretty nifty disco tunnel around mile 12! Water support was strong throughout the course. I think there were port-a-potties, but I was too locked-in to notice. Weather-wise, it was a cool and cloudy day, but not as overcast as it was for the previous day’s 5k, and not cloudy enough to dampen the overall energy of the race.
Post-race:
-Once you cross the finish-line, grab your finisher medal and a great selection of refreshments: water, banana, multiple brands of granola bars, a fresh cookie, chips (salt is an underrated part of recovery!), Gatorade, fruit snacks, and more. You definitely won’t go hungry. Runners are funneled several blocks down Ash St towards the waterfront finish festival. I have to say the finish festival is one of the more impressive ones I’ve seen. There’s an alphabetized family reunion area, gear pick-up, food trucks, photo opportunities, merchandising, Remix Challenge medal pick-up (if you did the 5k), medal engraving, and pick-up plenty of space to cool-down and stretch. All this while music blasts to keep you on your feet if you need. It’s a really festive mood, and the sights are great too because you’re just along the water with several ships sitting in the harbor.
Swag:
-The Half Marathon was a dark blue tech shirt, with multiple San Diego neighborhood signs highlighted in yellow and orange. It’s not as eye-catching as the 5k shirt, but it’s still very nice. The Half Marathon medal is a round replica of the North Park sign in light-blue, with a bright orange ribbon attached. It’s only slightly larger than the 5k medal, which is something I hope they change in the future. If you run the 5k as well, then you’ll get your hands on a Remix Challenge medal: the medal features a record that actually slides in and out of its sleeve! Way cool. Both medals have an outlined area on the back for engraving if you want to record your time or celebrate a PR.
Bottom-line:
-This was my first Rock ‘n’ Roll running weekend, and I had a really great time. The race was well-produced, and full of little details (guitar pick corral signs, corral mini-waves, on-course entertainment, a disco tunnel, an expansive finish line festival, etc.) that set it apart. Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego’s got a great energy that really makes you want to run it again.
Love Racing In San Diego!
Now that I am retired from running San Diego RnR as a full (and thus no longer running on the 163 Freeway! yay!), I really enjoy this race as a … MORE
Now that I am retired from running San Diego RnR as a full (and thus no longer running on the 163 Freeway! yay!), I really enjoy this race as a half. This race makes San Diego shine. Be prepared for mile 4.5. You run through a residential neighborhood where residents are giving out beer and shots of various hard alcohols. It the entire course is fun… not just mile 4.5. Or maybe I’m just elated to no longer be running on the 163.
My only complaint this year was parking. The race suggested parking near the finish and walking to the start. Due to Covid, they were not providing the usual shuttles this year. Clicking the link on the RnR website to reserve a parking spot, none of the lots were anywhere near the start or the finish! They were off in completely different directions. This was confusing because I am normally able to pre-purchase parking in a lot that isn’t *too* far from the finish. Several of my friends resorted to parking in residential neighborhoods between the start and the finish. Since logistics were a bit of a headache, my husband graciously offered to drop me off at the start and pick me up at the finish.
Lack Luster
This year RnR introduced a new course for the 5K. While I always enjoy running around the museums and Balboa Park, the race was lackluster. There was only one DJ … MORE
This year RnR introduced a new course for the 5K. While I always enjoy running around the museums and Balboa Park, the race was lackluster. There was only one DJ booth on the course, but no one was there playing any music. Did they sleep in??? RnR really phoned this one in. I paid the insanely high price at the expo to register my husband so he could run with me. It was his first introduction to RnR races. It was not worth the price of admission.
Tough adjusting to new 'races'
The parking at the Expo was a cluster, i have parked there the previous 2 RnR events but no turn lanes and only one lane open was bogus. Okay, so … MORE
The parking at the Expo was a cluster, i have parked there the previous 2 RnR events but no turn lanes and only one lane open was bogus.
Okay, so i didn’t do the 1/2 or full, there was no swag in the bag for the 5K runners. I even had to get my own pins. i realize times are tough, but at least there were bananas etc post race.
Fun, bite-sized sampler of Balboa Park
The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego 5k is a wonderful trip through Balboa Park, and worth running whether it’s your main event or as a warm-up for one of the … MORE
The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego 5k is a wonderful trip through Balboa Park, and worth running whether it’s your main event or as a warm-up for one of the weekend’s other races!
Expo / pick-up:
-The expo at the San Diego Convention Center was very well-organized with plentiful, designated bib and shirt pick-up stations, as well as a start-corral adjustment table. I appreciated the vaccine/negative test check at the entrance. So many of us race because of health, and it’s nice that they took this seriously. I also loved the clear pick-up bags we got. They’re so handy for carrying all your race and expo goodies, and necessary for gear drop at the longer races. I don’t understand why some races try to cheap out by not giving these bags. Like most big expos, there’s a spacious area for race weekend merch and the primary shoe sponsor (Brooks this year). My favorite pieces of merch were the 5k/Half/Marathon shirts with all the racers’ names printed on them in alphabetical order—the catch being that you had to have registered for the races at least 60 days early. I wish I’d registered earlier, and this neat little perk is something the Rock ‘n’ Roll organizers should advertise more! The San Diego version of the Rock ‘n’ Roll running events is apparently the original, and the expo set up a neat display of all the medal designs throughout the years, as well as all the bonus medals you can earn for completing multiple Rock ‘n’ Roll races. They’re so bling-tastic and do a good job of appealing to all the medal-collecting completionists out there 🙂
Parking:
-Convention center parking for the expo was unfortunately $20. I tried finding cheaper alternatives on Spot Hero, but couldn’t find anything more reasonable. Race-day parking at Balboa Park, though, was FREE at the Inspiration Point lot. The best part is that the parking lot is less than a 5-minute walk to the start corral. Nice!
Pre-race:
-Speakers loudly blast all sorts of music to keep the energy up. An engaging emcee. Plentiful port-a-potties. Runners were divided into multiple corrals—I counted at least 8 corrals, marked by giant guitar picks (get it? Rock and roll?). You know how at some races, entire corrals are released at once? Then you’re expected to cross the start line on your own timing, and end up navigating a congested, slow-mo stampede? The organizers solved this issue by releasing runners in each corral in 5-sec mini-waves, signaled by countdown lights. This way, you can launch out of the start line into a more wide-open road! I hope this practice becomes more commonplace.
Course:
-Mile 0-1: The race starts near the Veterans Museum, and the first mile takes you past Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Plaza de Panama, Museum of Art, and the highlight: crossing Cabrillo Bridge shortly after sunrise.
-Mile 1-2: The second mile loops around Marston Point, where the scenery shifts from pretty architecture to pretty greenery. A few small hills also begin testing your legs at this point, and the crowds start to thin if you can keep your pace.
-Mile 2-3.1: You briefly exit the actual park and run along the streets with some shops on your left and the NW border of Balboa Park on the right. Then, the course turns back into the park for the final stretch down to the finish line!
Scenery/Weather/Support:
-A nice mini-tour of Balboa Park, but it was an overcast day, so the best tourist attractions were shrouded in clouds—not as picturesque as you may like. In terms of aid, I only remember one water station. That felt like enough, but I haven’t run very many 5ks, so I’m not sure if that’s normal or not. Lots of volunteers, a cheer squad, a DJ on the first mile, and the overall energy was great.
Post-race:
-Grab your typical post-race goodies of banana, granola bar, and water. Nothing too special, and nothing to complain about. There’s a Heineken beer garden too if you need some extra carbs. Finish Line photographers are available if you’re ready to pose with your medal.
Swag:
-The 5k race shirt was a light blue tech shirt, with ginormous yellow “5K” lettering on the front so no one can mistake what race you’re running. Silhouettes of Balboa Park and palm trees fill in the lettering—very nicely-done and it’s a shirt I’d wear anytime. The 5k medal is a colorful, blue-orange replica of Balboa Park’s Museum of Us and the museum’s iconic California Tower. The medal is on the smaller side, but it’s still really nice. There’s an outlined area on the back for engraving if you want to record your time or celebrate a PR.
Bottom-line:
-This was my first Rock ‘n’ Roll running event, and it was a great race that I would definitely do again, hopefully on a sunnier day!
The Original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
This is a well organized and well supported event in beautiful San Diego! The marathon and half marathon start off together and there is a party atmosphere with runners and … MORE
This is a well organized and well supported event in beautiful San Diego! The marathon and half marathon start off together and there is a party atmosphere with runners and neighbors alike until the full and half marathon split at mile 8. While it is possible to achieve a PB here, the focus overall is more party than performance. The first 8 miles are congested and clusters of participants all over the course are walking, do not move to the side, etc. As a repeat participant, I have found it helpful to factor this in to the experience and just chill and enjoy it. After the split, the marathon course gets quieter and is not congested at all as you continue through the neighborhoods. My favorite part is mile 12-13, where you are treated to a nice little downhill stretch through the Presidio before hitting Morena where the work begins. This year, the course veered off of Morena on to the bike path near the river toward the coast before crossing a bridge and heading back on the other side. This was a huge improvement over prior years! More shade, better scenery. Although there are rolling hills throughout the course, the 163 from about miles 22 to 25 really is the most challenging part. Physically; an upward incline combined with a side to side slant. Mentally; pavement and more pavement. I recommend having a snack on this section. The good news is that by the time that segment is done, you’re almost to the finish. Actually, at that point, it is great news.
Beautiful City, Fun Race
My first time in San Diego as well as running a Rock and Roll race. Great job by the organizers and volunteers! Beautiful city to run in, with the exception … MORE
My first time in San Diego as well as running a Rock and Roll race. Great job by the organizers and volunteers! Beautiful city to run in, with the exception of the interstate stretch. Around mile 21, there is a significant incline and at the most difficult part of a marathon, so by prepared! 🥵. All in all, I highly recommend this race, but be ready for rolling hills, which just adds character! Loved every minute in San Diego!
Side Note: San Diego has some great restaurants, so enjoy the carb loading!!😉