FAQs
This FAQ page provides common questions asked by our race participants and their families about the La Jolla half marathon, 10K, or 5K race. Here you can discover more about the La Jolla Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K and prepare for the day of the race. Below, is a list of ‘EVENT INFO’ and ‘FAQs’ that will answer most of your questions. We continually update this FAQ page to ensure you have the best running experience ever. However, if you have race specific question that you cannot find an answer to, please use the button below to fill out the contact form.
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FAQs & Event Info
All distances will take place on Saturday, May 15, 2027.
All half marathon, 10K, and 5K participants will receive:
- Custom designed finisher medal
- Custom designed dry tech shirt
- Runner swag bag
- Complimentary beers in post-race beer garden
- Finisher food bag filled with refueling foods at the finish line
- Finish line festival with music, food, vendors, refreshments, and more!
You must be wearing the official race bib assigned to you in order to receive a Finisher’s medal and race shirt.
You can confirm a registration by going to the confirmation page on RunSignup.
We do not offer refunds or transfers to other runners. We want you to enjoy our race in person, yourself, even if it’s in a future year!
10K: 6.2 Miles
5K – 3.1 Miles
Yes, when you sign up for a race you can decide to either create or join a team, both during and after registration. Follow the links below for instructions.
For information about the half marathon course support click here.
For information about 10K course support click here.
For information about 5K course support click here.
The RunSignUp has partnered with Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) to provide participants with “Registration Insurance”.
If you have purchased event registration insurance for an event and have a question or claim please contact Allianz Global Assistance as follows:
To manage your policy or file a claim, please visit: www.eventregistrationprotection.com.
If you have questions regarding your insurance, please contact Allianz Global Assistance at 1-888-497-6987.
Event Registration Insurance is offered on the events listed below:
- Half Marathon
- 10K
- 5k
Yes, however, there is a 1-hour time limit for finishing the 5K. This means you must maintain a 19:21-minute-mile pace or faster. Those doing the 10K, must be able to complete the course in 2 hours. For the half marathon, you must be able to complete the course in 3.5 hours. This means you must maintain a 16-minute mile pace or faster throughout the event. Please Note: these times will be strictly enforced
EXPO PARKING: There are a number of free on street parking spaces primarily south of Prospect Street. Parking near the Pacific Ocean is always very limited. There are several underground garages paid parking spaces on and near Prospect Street.
RACE PARKING: Follow the direction of parking personnel to the designated race parking located in the dirt lot across from the main Fairground’s entrance.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT RACE PARKING: While there is plenty of free parking at the Del Mar Racetrack, it will be VERY BUSY! Delays getting in are guaranteed. Be sure to give yourself an extra forty-five minutes to 1-hour travel time and plan to arrive to the start line no later than 6:00 am. THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS TO RACE PARKING BETWEEN 6:15 AND 7:00 am. If someone will be dropping you off at the start, they must do so inside the main participant parking area. Follow the direction of parking personnel to the unpaved lot and proceed to the passenger drop-off area located at the entrance to the pedestrian tunnel. Do not ask your driver to drop you off on Jimmie Durante Boulevard (they will get a ticket).
If you’re unable to attend the expo, you may authorize someone to pick up your items for you. This person must come with a photocopy or electronic copy of your photo ID. We have listed the Expo date, time and location below along with other important information.
Gear drop-off will be available at the start line only. All collected gear is transported to the finish line for pickup immediately after your race. There is no gear pick-up at the start line. The cinch bag you receive when you pick up your bib doubles as your gear drop-off bag and will be numbered to match your bib number.
You may not check backpacks or duffel bags. Bags deemed too large to fit into an event-supplied bag will not be allowed on the shuttles. Don’t pack valuables. The event is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Items left at the start line, on the course or not claimed on race day from the Gear Pickup tent will be donated. Unattended bags will be removed by security.
Yes, there will be a gear drop area at the starting line for all distances. You will mark a bag with your bib number for identification and leave it with a volunteer. Your gear bag will be transported to the finish area where it will be available for pickup soon after you arrive there.
A professional company will be taking pictures along the course at the start/finish line. Make sure your bib number is pinned to the front of your clothing as this allows you to be identified. All runners who are photographed can download them for free as a part of your registration.
Pre-Event Shuttle Half Marathon: Complimentary shuttle service will transport runners from the finish area at La Jolla Cove to the Half Marathon start area at the Del Mar Racetrack before the race from 4:00 to 5:45 am. You must be in line to board the bus by 5:00 am. A food truck will be onsite selling coffee and other breakfast items in the park.
Post-Event Shuttle Half Marathon: Complimentary shuttles will transport runners from the finish area back to the Half Marathon start line at the Del Mar Racetrack.
Pre-Event Shuttle 10K: Complimentary shuttle service will transport runners from the finish area at La Jolla Cove to the 10K start line before the race from 4:30 to 5:45 am. You must be in line to board the bus by 5:00 am.
Pre-Event Shuttle 5K: Complimentary shuttle service will transport runners from the finish area at La Jolla Cove to the 5K start line before the race from 4:30 to 6:00 am. You must be in line to board the bus by 5:00 am. A food truck will be onsite selling coffee and other breakfast items in the park.
There are NO shuttles from the finish to the start of the 10K or 5k POST EVENT.
There are a few options for the Half. After the beginning of the Half from miles two to four, there are residential streets in Del Mar where you may find a parking space and walk to the race course, which will generally be the most westerly street. There are a few good options along the northern Torrey Pines Road part of the course from mile four to ten, but parking in the Science Park area and walking to Torrey Pines Road may be possible. For both Half, 10K, and the 5K, there are good viewing options in La Jolla Shores between miles ten and twelve, with several street spaces and an easy walk to the course along the boardwalk in Kellogg Park. That location also offers a lovely beach and surf background for pictures. Check the course map and drive to the selected area to pick a spot before race day.
Is it better to park in La Jolla and take the bus to the start, or park at the start and take the bus back to my car?
It depends on which race you’re running, the 10K, 5K, or the Half.
At the 10K and 5K start there are virtually no street parking spaces available, so unless you are a local and very familiar with the neighborhood it is better to park in the Village and take the bus to the 10K or 5K start and be near your car after you finish the race.
For the Half many people choose either of two options. If you park in La Jolla you will find many available street spaces early in the morning. Most spaces will be limited to two hours from 8:00 am, but since parking enforcement does not begin until around 9:00 or so, practically speaking you will be safe until around 11:00 or so (not guaranteed.) The buses to the Half start in Del Mar run from 4:00 to 5:15, so you will need to be in line for the bus at 4:00 to 4:45 am to get to the start in ample time to get ready to race.
If you are more comfortable doing so, reserve a space, but it is really not necessary since there are several thousand street spaces in La Jolla and they will not be taken by anyone but runners very early on Saturday morning.
Yes, your driver can drop you off at the Del Mar Fairgrounds overflow parking dirt lot on the east side of Jimmy Durante Boulevard, the same place participants park their cars. There will be signs directing runners into the lot. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BE DROPPED OFF ON JIMMY DURANTE DRIVE. YOUR DRIVER WILL BE TICKETED! Ask to be dropped near entrance to the tunnel under Jimmy Durante, the closest spot to the start. After being dropped off you driver can exit the lot following the signs to I-5.
Yes, but it will be very congested so we recommend using the race shuttles as you may otherwise not be able to get to the start line on time.
If you plan to get dropped off, make sure it is well before 6:00 am. The location of the start line is North Torrey Pines Rd & Callan Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Yes, well before 6:00 you can be dropped off northbound on La Jolla Shores Drive at the corner of Discovery Way. Later near the start the area will be very congested with runners, shuttle buses, and traffic.
Yes, there will be a pace team. On race day, look for signs directing you to your wave corral based on expected pace. You must be at the race start line no later than 6:30 am. Pace groups will be offered for the following target finish times: 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45.
What is a pacer? If you want to establish a personal time goal for the half marathon, you can achieve this by running with one of our pacers, who will help you stay on track without worrying about maintaining a specific time. This way you can focus on feeling your best.
Please Note: Pacing by non-registered participants or those not starting at the starting line is prohibited.
For safety reasons, we discourage the use of headphones.
Due to steep downhills on both the half marathon and 5K courses, strollers, racing chairs and handcycles are not allowed in either event.
If you would like to become a fundraiser or associate one with a new or existing fundraising team, then you will have the opportunity to create and/or join one during the registration process. If you do not wish to register for a race, you can still become a fundraiser without registering for a race at all.
DURING REGISTRATION: You will be guided thru this step and you will be able to create or join a fundraiser.
AFTER REGISTRATION:
- Sign In to RunSignup
- Go to your Profile
- Click My Registered Races.
- Click Manage Registration
- Click Fundraiser in the Top Menu to begin
WITHOUT REGISTERING:
