2023 marks the twenty fifth anniversary of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5k in San Diego, and the occasion guarantees to be one of the crucial thrilling but. For individuals who like to run and discover new neighborhoods, this race is the right alternative to do each. The half-marathon route takes runners by a number of the most vibrant and various neighborhoods in San Diego.
Right here’s what you’ll be able to anticipate to see and expertise alongside the best way.
Operating the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half?
Beginning Level in Balboa Park
The place to begin of the race is in Balboa Park, a sprawling city park that’s house to a few of San Diego’s most iconic landmarks, together with the San Diego Zoo and the Museum of Us’ California Tower.
Plan not less than a day earlier than or after the race to discover the cultural coronary heart of San Diego, with 18 museums, gardens galore and the Spanish Colonial Revival structure that make this park so particular.
Hillcrest
From Balboa Park, runners will head north into Hillcrest, a vibrant and various neighborhood that’s house to a thriving LGBTQ+ group, in addition to welcoming bars, eating places, espresso homes, boutiques and distinctive retailers.
North Park
As you head down College Avenue, you’ll enter North Park, one other of San Diego’s most dynamic neighborhoods. This can be a good spot to rejoice your triumphant end with a beer at one of many superb breweries alongside 30th St. The eclectic neighborhood’s streets are additionally lined with espresso retailers, boutiques, artwork galleries and various eating places.
Regular Heights
After North Park, the route takes runners by Regular Heights, a laid-back neighborhood that’s identified for its tree-lined streets and charming bungalows. Right here, you’ll get a way of what life is like for locals in San Diego, away from the hustle and bustle of the town’s extra touristy areas.
Downtown San Diego
The ultimate stretch of the race takes you down Pershing Drive, previous the Balboa Park Golf Course and thru downtown San Diego to the end line on the San Diego County Waterfront Park, the place you’ll be able to rejoice the achievement with music, meals and drinks.
Operating the complete Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon?
Should you’re operating the complete marathon, you’ll get to discover much more of San Diego’s various neighborhoods, every with its personal distinctive character and attraction. Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at what you’ll be able to anticipate to see and expertise alongside the marathon route:
Mission Hills
After you break up from the half-marathon runners, the complete marathon route takes you thru Mission Hills, a quiet and picturesque neighborhood identified for its farm-to-table and neighborhood eating places, historic houses and tree-lined streets. The structure here’s a mixture of kinds, together with Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman and Mediterranean Revival, giving the realm a captivating and eclectic really feel.
Outdated City San Diego
From Mission Hills, the route takes you to Outdated City San Diego State Historic Park, the birthplace of recent California. You’ll run by Presidio Park and previous the Junípero Serra Museum, one of the crucial acquainted landmarks in San Diego and acknowledged as the positioning the place trendy California started (and in addition generally mistaken because the mission).
As soon as your legs get better, take the trolley again to Outdated City San Diego for a day immersed in San Diego’s previous with a wide range of historic buildings, together with the oldest schoolhouse in San Diego and the Whaley Home, one of the crucial haunted buildings in America. This vibrant space can also be house to a number of the greatest Mexican eating places, birdbath margaritas and memento retailers.
Level Loma
After Outdated City, the route heads west alongside the northern fringe of the Level Loma Peninsula. This space is understood for its historic lighthouses, naval bases (each the lively MCRD and the superbly transformed Liberty Station), and the Cabrillo Nationwide Monument, which commemorates the primary European to set foot on the West Coast of the US.
Mission Bay
As you head again east, the marathon route takes you thru Mission Bay, a 4,600-acre aquatic playground that’s the largest of its sort on the planet and is in style with locals and vacationers alike. Ensure that to return after the race to benefit from the miles of sandy seashores, waterfront parks and a wide range of water sports activities, together with kayaking, paddleboarding and crusing.
163 Freeway to Downtown San Diego
The ultimate stretch of the marathon is probably probably the most difficult, as runners should climb the 163 freeway. Take a second to enjoy operating alongside one among two historic parkways in California and underneath Balboa Park’s iconic Cabrillo Bridge. And when you attain the highest, the ultimate mile is effectively well worth the effort, as you’ll be rewarded with cheering crowds as you run towards the end line and the after-party.
Save in your Rock ‘n’ Roll Registration
Whether or not you’re operating the half-marathon or the complete marathon, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Operating Sequence San Diego race is an effective way to discover a number of the most fascinating neighborhoods on this vibrant and various metropolis. So why not lace up your trainers and uncover the most effective of San Diego on foot? And don’t neglect to make use of the code VISITSD15 to save lots of 15% in your registration!