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Pacific Beach Half Marathon: San Diego’s Most Beach-Authentic Race Weekend
If there’s a race in San Diego that embodies the city’s laid-back, beach-loving spirit without sacrificing the competitive experience, it’s the Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K. Organized by the San Diego Running Co. (SDRC), this two-day race weekend hits Pacific Beach on October 4, 2026 with a half marathon, a genuinely one-of-a-kind sand 5K, a Kids 1K, and the Surfside Double Shot Challenge for those who want to run both.
The Course
The half marathon departs from Crown Point Park at 6:30 AM on Sunday, running point-to-point along the Mission Bay waterfront on closed streets and paths. The route passes SeaWorld, Hospitality Point, and Belmont Park before finishing on Thomas Avenue at the Pacific Beach Boardwalk — a satisfying finale with ocean vibes. The Saturday 5K is genuinely unique: roughly 1.75 miles of soft sand running along the beach followed by 1.35 miles on the PB Boardwalk, starting at 700 Thomas Ave. A Kids 1K rounds out the weekend, making this a true family race event.
Race Day Experience
Half marathon finishers receive custom SDRC sunnies (sunglasses) — great for a San Diego October morning — plus a complimentary drink ticket to use at the post-race Pacific Beachfest Beer Garden. Complete both the 5K and the half marathon and you earn the Surfside Double Shot Challenge combo medal, one of the more creative finisher awards in San Diego running. The beach-party atmosphere is genuine and unpretentious, which is exactly what you’d expect from a race based in one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Why Run Pacific Beach Half Marathon?
This race benefits Discover Pacific Beach, the local business improvement district, so every registration dollar goes back into the neighborhood you’re running through. The SDRC puts genuine care into the runner experience — from the race swag to the post-race scene. The two-day format and sand 5K make it a standout weekend for runners who want more than just one race. And a Mission Bay waterfront course in early October, with mild San Diego temperatures and the ocean close by, is hard to beat.
Travel & Logistics
Crown Point Park and the Pacific Beach Boardwalk are both in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, roughly 10 miles northwest of downtown San Diego via I-8 West or Mission Bay Drive. PB has abundant lodging options, from beachfront hotels to vacation rentals within walking distance of the start and finish. Street parking fills fast near the beach on weekends, so plan for a short walk or rideshare from farther inland. The two-day format also makes it a natural excuse for a full beach weekend getaway.
How to Register
Register for the Pacific Beach Half Marathon, 5K, Kids 1K, or Surfside Double Shot via Race Roster. Full event details are on the SDRC events page. Early registration is recommended — the sand 5K especially fills up fast.
Pacific Beach Half Marathon: San Diego’s Most Beach-Authentic Race Weekend
If there’s a race in San Diego that embodies the city’s laid-back, beach-loving spirit without sacrificing the competitive experience, it’s the Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K. Organized by the San Diego Running Co. (SDRC), this two-day race weekend hits Pacific Beach on October 4, 2026 with a half marathon, a genuinely one-of-a-kind sand 5K, a Kids 1K, and the Surfside Double Shot Challenge for those who want to run both.
The Course
The half marathon departs from Crown Point Park at 6:30 AM on Sunday, running point-to-point along the Mission Bay waterfront on closed streets and paths. The route passes SeaWorld, Hospitality Point, and Belmont Park before finishing on Thomas Avenue at the Pacific Beach Boardwalk — a satisfying finale with ocean vibes. The Saturday 5K is genuinely unique: roughly 1.75 miles of soft sand running along the beach followed by 1.35 miles on the PB Boardwalk, starting at 700 Thomas Ave. A Kids 1K rounds out the weekend, making this a true family race event.
Race Day Experience
Half marathon finishers receive custom SDRC sunnies (sunglasses) — great for a San Diego October morning — plus a complimentary drink ticket to use at the post-race Pacific Beachfest Beer Garden. Complete both the 5K and the half marathon and you earn the Surfside Double Shot Challenge combo medal, one of the more creative finisher awards in San Diego running. The beach-party atmosphere is genuine and unpretentious, which is exactly what you’d expect from a race based in one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Why Run Pacific Beach Half Marathon?
This race benefits Discover Pacific Beach, the local business improvement district, so every registration dollar goes back into the neighborhood you’re running through. The SDRC puts genuine care into the runner experience — from the race swag to the post-race scene. The two-day format and sand 5K make it a standout weekend for runners who want more than just one race. And a Mission Bay waterfront course in early October, with mild San Diego temperatures and the ocean close by, is hard to beat.
Travel & Logistics
Crown Point Park and the Pacific Beach Boardwalk are both in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, roughly 10 miles northwest of downtown San Diego via I-8 West or Mission Bay Drive. PB has abundant lodging options, from beachfront hotels to vacation rentals within walking distance of the start and finish. Street parking fills fast near the beach on weekends, so plan for a short walk or rideshare from farther inland. The two-day format also makes it a natural excuse for a full beach weekend getaway.
How to Register
Register for the Pacific Beach Half Marathon, 5K, Kids 1K, or Surfside Double Shot via Race Roster. Full event details are on the SDRC events page. Early registration is recommended — the sand 5K especially fills up fast.