Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Event Details
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5KΒ | San Diego’s Newest Half Marathon
The 2023 Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K is taking over Pacific Beach on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Rally your crew for this one-of-a-kind San Diego race! Come on out and join the party on the beach!Β 

The Half Marathon distance is a point-to-point race starting at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay Park and ending with an epic beach finish in Pacific Beach! Runners will enjoy a scenic waterfront course where they will pass by Tecolote Shores, Hospitality Point, West Mission Bay Dr. Bridge and Mission Beach.
The Half Marathon course is 99% on paved pathways and closed roads. The only portion of the race on the sand is the final 0.2 miles for an iconic finish on the hard-packed sand. All soft sand crossings will have rubber mats for easy crossing!
Dates/Time
Date: Saturday, October 7th
Half Marathon Start Time: 6:15am
- Start Line – De Anza Cove parking lot, Mission Bay Park
Ealy Wave 5K Start Time: 6:45am
- Start Line – On the Beach! (700 Thomas Ave.)
5K Start Time: 10:00am
- Start Line – On the Beach! (700 Thomas Ave.)
Kids 1K Start Time: 11:15am
- Start Line – On the Beach! (700 Thomas Ave)
Registration
$119 | Half Marathon Registration
$49 | 5K Registration (Early or Main Wave)
$30 | Kids 1K Fun Run
Swag
All Runners Receive:
- Pacific Beach Tank Top

- Custom Finisher Medal

- Chip Timing β
- Free Photos π·
- Complimentary Drink Ticket

- Half Marathon Bonus – Custom SDRC Sunnies!
Check Out the History of the Tank Top!
Age Group Awards
2023 Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K Overall and Age Group Awards will be distributed after the event to the following categories for both men and women:
Half Marathon:
- Top 3 Overall, 13 & Under, 14 β 19, 20 β 24, 25 – 29, 30 – 34, 35 – 39, 40 – 44, 45 – 49, 50 – 54, 55 – 59, 60 – 64, 65 – 69, 70 – 74, 75 – 79, 80+
5K Early Wave and 5K Main Wave (awards given separately for each race):
- Top 3 Overall, 13 & Under, 14 β 19, 20 β 29, 30 – 349, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 – 79, 80+
You must pick up your awards after the event at the San Diego Running Co. booth in the vendor village!
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Swag
All Runners Receive:
- Pacific Beach Tank Top

- Custom Finisher Medal

- Chip Timing β
- Free Photos π·
- Complimentary Drink Ticket

- Half Marathon Bonus – Custom SDRC Sunnies!
Check Out the History of the Tank Top!
Tank Top Sizing Chart:
Female Racerback Tank Top
Fabric: 60% Cotton/40% Poly
Note:Β Female tank top is semi-fitted. For relaxed fit size up.

High Point Shoulder (HPS) is measured from the highest point of the shoulder to the bottom hem of the shirt.
Bust/Width measures across the bust 1″ below the armhole, seam to seam.
Unisex Tank Top
Fabric: 85% Cotton/15% Poly

Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Course Details
Check out all the details of the Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K courses. Scroll below the course maps to find details for on course water, electrolytes and nutrition!

View the Courses on Map My Run
Pacific Beach Half Marathon Course
Half Marathon Aid Station Locations:
Aid Station 1: 5K
Aid Station 2: Mile 5
- Water
- GU Electrolyte
- GU Gel
- Portable Restrooms
Aid Station 3: Mile 6.5
- Water
- GU Electrolyte
- Portable Restrooms
Aid Station 4: Mile 7.6
- Water
- GU Electrolyte
- Sunset Point Park Restroom
Aid Station 5: Mile 10.1
- Water
- GU Electrolyte
- GU Gel
- Mission Point Park Restroom
Aid Station 6: Mile 11.5
- Water
- GU Electrolyte
- Mission Beach Boardwalk Restrooms
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Packet Pick-Up
FREE - Packet Pick Up
Pick up your race packet at one of the scheduled packet pick up locations.
$15 - Mail My Packet
We will mail your packet directly to your house a week prior to the event! Note: Deadline to purchase Mail My Packet will be September 24, 2023 - NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
Where are the packet pick-up locations?
Bib/Shirt Pick-Up Options:
Mail My Packet: – NO LONGER AVAILABLE
- Deadline: September 24, 2023
- Price: $15 + processing fees
- How: Avoid the stress and the driving! Click HERE to purchase the packet mailing (deadline September 24, 2023).
Packet Pick Up #1:
Packet Pick Up #2:
Event Day – Half Marathon Participants:
Event Day – 5K Participants/Kids Run:
- Date: Saturday, October 7th
- Location: Start Line, 700 Thomas Ave (on the beach), San Diego, CA 92109
- Time: 5:45a – 6:30a (early wave); 8:30a – 9:45a (main wave); 10:15a – 10:45a (kids run)
- Note: This is 5K only! Half Marathoners cannot pick up at the beach on event day. Only at the Half Marathon start line at De Anza Cove, 3000 N. Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109.
If you are picking up a packet for a friend you MUST bring a copy of their photo ID. A picture of their ID on your cell phone is also acceptable.
Official Packet Pick Up Sponsor
Road Runner Sports is the World's Largest Running & Walking Store.
All Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K participants that sign up for Road Runner Sports VIP program will receive a special 20% discount during packet pick-up hours!
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Parking & Shuttles
The Half Marathon is a point to point race, meaning the start line and finish line are several miles apart. So please use the information below to decide the best transportation plan for you!
The 5K will start and finish in the same location. The 5K finish line is the same as the half marathon finish line.
HALF MARATHON PARKING AND RIDE SHARE/DROP-OFF
The start line is located at: De Anza Cove, 3000 North Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109. Parking and ride share/drop-off is available at this location.
- Note: there is NO shuttle after the finish of the race to the start line. So you will need to get yourself back to your car (about 3 miles away).

HALF MARATHON ONLY SHUTTLE
You can park at the finish line and take a shuttle to the start! The shuttle pick-up location is:
- 801 Grand Ave., San Diego, CA 92109.Β
- Pick-up times: 4:45a – 5:45a. Last shuttle will depart at 5:45a!
- Parking: Parking options in Pacific Beach will consist of paid parking lots and neighborhood parking. Click HERE for recommended parking lots.

5K & 1K KIDS RUN PARKING/HALF FINISH LINE PARKING
The 5K will start and finish at the same location. The 5K will be on the beach at approximately 700 Thomas Ave, San Diego, CA 92109. For 5K parking, find neighborhood parking or refer to THIS MAP for paid lots. Parking WILL Be challenging before the 5K so allow 15-30 minutes to park and walk to the event.
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Post-Race Celebration
The Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K fun doesnβt stop at the finish line! All participants receive a special drink ticket to one of our three post-race partner bars! Your drink ticket is attached to your bib and will be redeemable at Shore Club, 710 Beach Club & Grill or Maverick’s Beach Club. You must be 21+ and have your ID to redeem your ticket.
All three bars open at 8:00AM!
2023 Sponsor Pacific Beach Bars
Complimentary drink ticket will be attached to your bib. Tear away to redeem at our Pacific Beach partner bars.

Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Results
Half Marathon Records
Men: Bryan Rigby, 1:10:26 - 2022
Women: Bonnie Keating, 1:20:18 - 2022
5K Course Records
Men: Tetsunori Sakamoto, 17:48 - 2019
Women: Minori Hayakari, 19:37 - 2019
Age Group Awards
2023 Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K Overall and Age Group Awards will be distributed after the event to the following categories for both men and women:
Half Marathon:
- Top 3 Overall, 13 & Under, 14 β 19, 20 β 24, 25 – 29, 30 – 34, 35 – 39, 40 – 44, 45 – 49, 50 – 54, 55 – 59, 60 – 64, 65 – 69, 70 – 74, 75 – 79, 80+
5K Early Wave and 5K Main Wave (awards given separately for each race):
- Top 3 Overall, 13 & Under, 14 β 19, 20 β 29, 30 – 349, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 – 79, 80+
You must pick up your awards after the event at the San Diego Running Co. booth in the vendor village!
2022 Results
Congratulations to all the finishers of the Inaugural Pacific Beach Half Marathon and 10th Annual Pacific Beach 5K!
2022 Results
2021 Results
Congratulations to all the finishers of the 9th Annual Pacific Beachfest 5K!
View Results
2020 Results
Times shown are for participants who have uploaded their virtual results.
View Results
2019 Results
Results shown for participants who selected chip timing.
View Results
2018 Results
Results shown for participants who selected chip timing.
View Results
2017 Results
Results shown for participants who selected chip timing.
View Results
2016 Results
Results shown for participants who selected chip timing.
View Results
Official Timing Partner
TimingHQ is your one-stop shop for timing and event management. TimingHQ is a international timing company aimed at providing the best possible race experience to race directors and participants.
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • FAQs
What is the location of the start line?
- Half Marathon – De Anza Cove Parking Lot at Mission Beach Park
- 5K – The start line is located on the beach at 700 Thomas Avenue.
What is included in my registration?
- Registration includes: race entry, tank top, chip-timed results, custom finishers medal and one complimentary drink ticket at PB Shore Club.
Is there event day registration?
- If the event does not sell out, registration will be available on event morning for $55 for the 5K and $30 for the Kids 1K Run. No registration is available on event day for the half marathon.
Where do I pick up my race packet?
- CLICK HERE to view all the information on packet pick-up.
Can I have my packet mailed to me?
- YES, for a $15 fee we will mail all your participant goods right to your house! The deadline to purchase Mail My Packet is September 24, 2023.
Is the 5K run in the sand?
- YES, the 5K run consists of approximately 1.75 miles of running in the sand and 1.35 miles of running along the boardwalk.
- The Half Marathon race takes place on closed streets and sidewalks along the beach and bay. The end of the race does finish on the beach on mats.
Is there a cut-off time for the Half Marathon?
- YES, you must maintain 3 hour and 15 minute finishing pace or 15 minute per mile pace. If you are off this pace you will be moved up along the course and you will still be able to cross the finish line and receive your finisher medal.
Can I walk the 5K?
- YES, we gladly welcome and encourage walkers. Although there is no defined course cut-off time, we asked that all 5K participants maintain a 20 minute per mile pace to allow us to remain on schedule for later race waves.
Where should I park for the event?
- All parking will be street parking in Pacific Beach.
- CLICK HERE for a map of paid parking lots.
Can I run with my dog?
- NO, per San Diego City regulations, dogs will not be allowed on the beach at the time of the run, unfortunately your four legged running buddy will have to sit this one out.
Can I run with a stroller?
- There are multiple soft sand crossings on the course and one small stair crossing so we HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do NOT run with a stroller.
How do I volunteer?
- If you would like to join the festivities as a volunteer, we would love to have you! Email us at volunteers@sandiegorunningco.com and let us know you would like to volunteer. It takes a lot of support to make this event happen and it wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers!
Does the event benefit an organization?
- The event benefits Discover Pacific Beach, a non-profit that supports the Pacific Beach community, the local beaches and its businesses.
- Learn more about DiscoverPB at www.pacificbeach.org
Where can I find my race results?
- CLICK HERE to find your official race results as well as results from previous years.
Will there be age group awards for both waves?
- 2023 Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K Overall and Age Group Awards will be distributed after the event to the following categories for both men and women:
- Half Marathon:
- Top 3 Overall, 13 & Under, 14 β 19, 20 β 24, 25 – 29, 30 – 34, 35 – 39, 40 – 44, 45 – 49, 50 – 54, 55 – 59, 60 – 64, 65 – 69, 70 – 74, 75 – 79, 80+
- 5K Early Wave and 5K Main Wave (awards given separately for each race):
- Top 3 Overall, 13 & Under, 14 β 19, 20 β 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 – 79, 80+
Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K • Legacy Runners
Legacy Program
Earn your Legacy status! We are excited to announce that we’re launching the Pacific Beach Half Marathon Legacy Program with theΒ first Legacy gift being distributed inΒ 2024!
All participants that run the Pacific Beach Half Marathon 3 years in a row will receive a bonus custom medal that you will not want to miss. We’re still finalizing the Legacy medal design but we promise the bling will be big and beautiful!
In addition, when you reach and maintain your legacy status, we’ll lock in your registration price at a low price. No need to worry about all those price jumps!
Legacy Program FAQs
How will I know if I’m qualified for the Legacy medal?
- We will email all eligible participants in advance of the race!
Can I qualify for Legacy status by running the 5K?
- No, you will need to run the Half Marathon for 3 ore more consecutive years.
If I cannot join in person one year, can I maintain my Legacy status by running virtually?
- Yes! Email us at info@sandiegorunningco.com and we will provide instructions for joining us virtually.
How will I receive my Legacy medal?
- We will have a pick-up station for your Legacy medal in the post-race expo/festival.