FAQ
Both the half marathon and 5K will take place on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Each half marathon and 5K participant will receive:
- Technical fabric short-sleeve shirt
- Gorgeous finisher medal
- Reuseable souvenir In Motion grocery bag
- Complimentary beer in the post-race beer garden
- A one-day pass to the invite-only Carlsbad Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
- Finisher food bag filled with tasty and nutritious refueling foods at the finish line
- Finish line festival with music, vendors, refreshments, and more!
Yes! During registration, you can choose to sign up as an individual or join a team. Once a team has been created, it will be available for other participants to join as well. The first person to create the team automatically becomes the team captain. We also offer team scoring, learn more here!
How do I create a team?
How do I add myself to a team after registration?
How do I change my team name?
How do I invite people to join my team?
How do I view my team roster?
If your team has 25 or more members by July 31 you qualify for a team booth in our Finish Line Festival! We will contact team captains in July if they qualify.
We offer team scoring for the half marathon only! Teams can be unlimited in size but must have at least ten people and two of each gender to qualify for team scoring.
Team scores are calculated by averaging each team’s top 10 chip times, including at least two of each gender.
The team captain of the top three overall teams will receive an award. Where and when you can pick up your award will be shared in the final event instructions.
Half Marathon – 13.1 Miles
5K – 3.1 Miles
Yes! All race distances are capped with the maximum participant experience and safety in mind! Register before events sell out!
Yes; however, a time limit of 3.25 hours for the half marathon will be strictly enforced. This means you must maintain a 14:53-minute-per-mile pace or faster. For the 5K, you must be able to complete the course in 1 hour. This means you must maintain a 19:21-minute-per-mile pace or faster.
Yes! Since its inception in 1978, The America’s Finest City Half Marathon has helped raise important funds for national and local non-profit organizations. The event’s primary beneficiaries are the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation and Friends of Balboa Park. The AFC Half Marathon also provides the opportunity for other local charities to raise funds through their association with the event.
Use this tool to see if you have already registered for the event. You can use your first name, last name, or email to search for an existing registration.
Yes. We offer a $10 military discount to active duty service members only. Make sure to answer the questions about military service during registration to receive the discount instructions.
Location:
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Hours:
Friday, August 15: 12 – 4 PM
Saturday, August 16: 10 AM – 4 PM
All in-person participants must pick up their materials and SWAG at the Expo/Packet Pickup on Saturday. They will not be mailed. You’ll first pick up your bib number (you must have your photo ID) and will then use your bib number to pick up your SWAG. While we do all we can to ensure you receive the sizes you request, unfortunately, we cannot make any guarantees.
If you’re unable to attend the Expo/Packet Pickup, someone can pick up your items for you. This person must come with a photocopy or electronic copy of your photo ID.
IMPORTANT: If you’re unable to attend the Expo/Packet or send someone in your place to pick up your bib number and race shirt, be sure to add Pre-Purchased Race Day Packet Pick Up ($20) when you register. If you’ve already registered and want to add Pre-Purchased Race Day Packet Pick Up, you can do so here through Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Anyone attempting to pick up their bib number on race day will have to pay $25 for Late Race Day Packet Pick Up (cash only).
Race day bib pickup will be in the southwest corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way in the middle of the Finish Line Festival area on race morning starting at 4:00 AM. Race shirts will be available for pickup at the Finish Line Festival after the race.
Virtual participants – learn more here.
Yes, if you’re unable to attend the expo, you may send someone to pick up your items for you. This person must come with a photocopy or electronic copy of your photo ID.
Yes! If you’re unable to attend the expo/packet pickup and are not able to send someone to pick it up for you at the expo/packet pickup, be sure to add Pre-Purchased Race Day Packet Pick Up ($20) when you register.
If you’ve already registered and want to add Pre-Purchased Race Day Packet Pick Up, you can do so here through Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Anyone attempting to pick up their bib number on race day will have to pay $25 for Late Race Day Packet Pick Up (cash only).
Race day bib pickup will be in the southwest corner of Park Boulevard and Presidents Way in the middle of the Finish Line Festival area on race morning starting at 4:00 AM. Race shirts will be available for pickup at the Finish Line Festival after the race.
Yes, there is a strict 3.25-hour time limit (14:53-minute-per-mile pace) for the half marathon. Participants who do not reach North Harbor Drive and Harbor Island Drive (6.3 miles) by 90 minutes after the race starts, will not be permitted to do the Harbor Island section of the course (approximately 2 miles) and will instead be directed to continue on the route to the finish line.
There is a 1-hour time limit for finishing the 5K. All participants must be able to maintain a 19:21-minute-mile pace or faster throughout the event.
Both the half marathon and 5K time limits are based on chip time, meaning the time limit countdown begins the moment the participant’s timing chip passes over the start line timing mat.
The time limit is necessary to ensure the safety of all participants as the public roadways must be opened to normal traffic at specified times and closed to participants. Participants exceeding the time limit pace may be asked by race staff or San Diego Police Department personnel to take a shuttle van to the finish. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE HALF MARATHON OR THE 5K IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO FINISH WITHIN THE TIME LIMITS.
The SoCal Triple Crown is a fun opportunity to recognize dedicated athletes who complete a race at all three of our signature events – Carlsbad, San Diego and Americas Finest City! Learn more here!
To switch between race distances or the virtual and in-person events, please follow these instructions. Switches can be done online through Wednesday, August 13. An upgrade fee will be assessed when switching from a shorter distance to a longer distance. The upgrade fee will be the price difference between event distances at the time of original registration. Refunds are not offered for downgrades. After Wednesday, August 14 you must visit the Solutions table at the Expo or on Race Day to make an event switch. You may not participate in a race that does not match your bib assignment.
Participants are only able to perform one transfer/switch on their own. If you need help with an additional transfer/switch, email [email protected].
Gear Check for the half marathon will be available through Mobile Locker ONLY. Locker rentals give you a secure, convenient storage option for your gear at the start line. You can pre-purchase a locker during registration or on race day.
- Small: 6″x6″x9″ – good for a small layer, keys, wallet, and other small items – $10
- Medium: 11″x6″x18″ – best for small to medium bags – $15
- Large: 12″x12″x18″ – best for larger bags and backpack – $20
No! All half marathon participants must take the event-provided buses from Balboa Park to the start line at Cabrillo National Monument. More bus details are available here.
Registered guests of the host hotel, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island, have special transportation details here.
See spectator transportation options here.
Yes! See return bus information here.
If you miss the last bus, you will not be able to run the half marathon. You can run the 5K using your half marathon bib number and timing tag.
Both the half marathon bus pick-up location and the 5K start location are in Balboa Park, near the intersection of Park Blvd. & President’s Way.
Public parking is available throughout Balboa Park and the surrounding area. Allow yourself at least an extra 30 minutes for parking.
The largest parking lots are off Park Blvd. at the intersections of Park Blvd./Zoo Place and Park Blvd./Presidents Way. Both lots are close to a bus loading location for the half marathon start line. All half marathon participants must take the bus to the start line.
The 5K starts and finishes at the same location in Balboa Park, near the intersection of Presidents Way and Pan American Road E. See the Finish Line Area Map here for an overview of the area.
No, only race participants are allowed at the half marathon start line and on the half marathon start line buses.
No, there is not a wave start for the half marathon or 5K.
All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to a future or alternate In Motion event. Should you no longer be able to attend the event, we offer the following options:
Race Insurance
Transfer Period
Switch to a Virtual Participant
Paid Deferral
Active duty military members who are unable to participate because they are unexpectedly deployed may choose to either defer their entry to the following year’s race or receive a refund less a $15 administration fee. Email request with a copy of orders to [email protected] no later than 10 days prior to event day.
Transfers are available until August 13, 2025. During this time frame, you will be able to log into your Race Roster account and transfer your entry to someone else. There is a $20 transfer fee and registered participants are responsible for finding transferees and making sure transfers are completed prior to the deadline. Transfers must be completed by 11:59 PM on August 13, 2025.
To transfer your registration to another person, follow these instructions.
For help logging into your Race Roster account, please review this helpful article.
If you purchased the event insurance, you cannot use the online transfer tool. Please email [email protected] for help. Additionally, participants are only able to perform one transfer/switch on their own. If you need help with an additional transfer/switch, email [email protected].
Participating with a bib number and timing tag not officially assigned to you is not permitted.
We offer both race insurance and a transfer period should you not be able to attend the event, but if those options do not work for you, you can choose to defer your entry to the following year for a $50 fee.
If you would like to defer your entry, please fill out this form by August 17, 2025. All deferrals must be submitted by August 17, 2025.
If you have arranged to defer your entry, you cannot run on event day. Your registration will be canceled and we will not have a bib for you on event day. All deferrals are final.
Half Marathon
Support stations providing water will be located along the course starting at mile three. Lemon-Lime Gatorade will also be served at the stations at approximately miles 4, 8, 10, and 12. Portable toilets will be available near every water station.
5K
There will be one water station on the route, accessible from both 3/4 miles and 2.5 miles approximately.
Please help us keep the course clean and ensure this event continues for years to come by using the provided trash boxes near the support stations and along the course. All mile references are approximate.
We discourage the use of headphones; however, if you choose to use them, it is recommended that you only use one headphone and keep the volume at a level at which you are aware of your environment, can hear course directions, and be aware of any emergency situations that may arise.
No, there will not be timing clocks along the course.
Yes! Both the half marathon and 5K are run on certified and sanctioned courses. The half marathon certification number is CA11106RS and the 5K certification number is CA13083RS.
The half marathon course is certified using USA Track & Field course measurement criteria employing the use of an Alan Jones counter. The courses are measured along the shortest distance between the start line and finish line, which entails taking the straight line tangent on all curves. It is virtually impossible for anyone to run the course exactly as measured, even the front runners.
A GPS device measures distance wherever you go during the race. If you go to the side of the road to a water station or if you zig-zag around other runners in the first few miles, the GPS measures the extra distance. Wherever you do not run the short line tangent in the road, the additional distance you cover is measured by the GPS. A GPS device, worn in a race, will always record a distance greater than an accurately measured course.
Yes! Both 5K and half marathon finishers will be awarded a medal upon completion of the race in the finish line chute.
Please be aware of the event time limits.
Overall
Overall award medals will be offered to the first three male, female and non-binary finishers of each race.
Half Marathon
Age group award medals will be offered to the first three male, female and non-binary finishers in the following age groups: 17 & under, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80+.
5K
Age group award medals will be offered to the first three male, female and non-binary finishers in the following age groups: 12 & under, 13-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80+.
Teams
Awards will be offered to the team captain of the fastest three overall teams on race day. See how teams are scored here.
There will not be an award ceremony, all awards will be available for pickup from the Information Booth. 5K awards will be available after 8:00 AM and half marathon awards will be available after 9:00 AM.
Those who do not pick up their award on race day will be emailed instructions for picking up their award medal from our office in San Marcos or having it mailed for the cost of postage. Awards not claimed within two weeks of the event will no longer be available.
Note: Awards will be based on net chip time.
All award medals will be available for pick up from the Information Booth. 5K awards will be available after 8:00 AM and half marathon awards will be available after 9:00 AM.
Those who do not pick up their award medal on race day will be emailed instructions for picking up their award from our office in San Marcos or having it mailed for the cost of postage. Awards not claimed within 30 days of the event will no longer be available.
No. The half marathon course crosses the San Diego Trolley tracks in downtown San Diego at 10.7 mi. (Broadway & Kettner) and 10.9 mi. (India & C).
Later runners may have to wait for 20 to 30 seconds to allow the trolley to pass. MTS personnel hold trolleys for a limited period of time, but must allow them to pass after a certain time period.
Finish times will not be adjusted. If stopped, please stop your watch and then restart it when you begin running. DO NOT CROSS THE TROLLEY TRACKS IF THE GATES ARE DOWN – you will be disqualified.
PLEASE OBEY THE DIRECTIONS OF THE TROLLEY PERSONNEL STATIONED AT THE CROSSINGS. The trolley did not exist when the race course was first laid out in 1978.
Average 68 degrees F, and 70-80 percent humidity.
Results will be posted as available in the results tent at the Finish Line Festival. Results will also be available online.
Not in the half marathon, due to a steep downhill on the half marathon course. Strollers are allowed in the 5K but must line up at the back of the pack at the start line.
Though we love animals, dogs or pets of any kind except for service animals are not allowed in the race or at the indoor expo.
Race Guards trained in CPR and first aid will be on the course. Runners observing others with possible medical difficulties along the route should alert the nearest police officer, race official, support station or call 911.
There will be one medical tent in the secure, fenced-in finish chute (just beyond the finish line) and one medical tent and a self-serve ice tent in the post-race Finish Line Festival.
Although there is no official minimum age requirement for the half marathon, we recommend all half marathon participants be at least 12 years old on race day. All participants under 18 must have their event waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. In addition, we recommend everyone under 16 years of age on race day be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian (who is also registered for the event) during his/her participation.
Individuals interested in participating in either event using a racing chair or handcycle must contact [email protected] prior to registering for the event for detailed information and special parking instructions.
Yes! We offer the Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program through Protecht/FanShield. It can ONLY be purchased during the registration process. See full coverage details here.
The insurance charge is in addition to the cost of your registration and will be billed separately by FanShield. If you purchased insurance and need to submit a claim, you will need to contact FanShield here.
Insurance cannot be purchased after your registration is complete.
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