FAQ
Friday, March 19
12 to 4 PM – Expo/Packet Pickup
Saturday, March 20
10 AM to 4 PM – Expo/Packet Pickup
Sunday, March 21
6:30 AM – 5K Start
6:50 AM – Half Marathon Start
Half Marathon – 6:50 AM
5K – 6:30 AM
Half Marathon – 13.1 Miles
5K – 3.1 Miles
Virtual Half Marathon – 13.1 Miles
Virtual 5K – 3.1 Miles
Click on the orange Register Now button above to see the current registration fees.
Check out all the details here!
Yes! All race distances are capped with the maximum participant experience and safety in mind! Register before events sell out!
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. The first person to create the team becomes the team captain.
If your team has 25 or more members 3 weeks before the event, you qualify for a team booth in our festival area! We will contact team captains if they qualify.
Team scoring is offered for the half marathon only. Teams must have at least ten participants. To qualify for team scoring, a team must include at least two athletes from at least two different gender categories (male, female, or non-binary).
Team scores are calculated by averaging each team’s top 10 chip times, meeting the gender category requirements above. The team captain of the top three overall teams will receive an award. Award pickup details will be included in the Final Event Instructions.
Helpful team links:
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?
You can look up your Legacy status here!
To have your Legacy stars printed on your race bib (2-star and up) and race shirt sleeve (3-star and up), you must register on or before February 12, 2027.
The SoCal Triple Crown is a fun opportunity to recognize dedicated athletes who complete a race at all three of our signature events – Carlsbad, GOVX San Diego, and America’s Finest City! Learn more here!
A medical tent will be located at the support station at Univeristy & Ibis and at the finish line. Race Guards trained in CPR and first aid will also be out on the course. Runners observing others with possible medical difficulties along the route should alert the nearest race personnel and/or call 911.
Yes! The charity beneficiary of the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon is the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by former firefighters and dedicated community leaders. They provide enhanced equipment, training, technology, and community education resources ensuring that the men and women of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department are better equipped to protect the residents, property, and environment of San Diego and the surrounding region.
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.
All participants must pick up their bib number and race shirt at the Expo/Packet Pickup; they will not be mailed. You’ll first pick up your bib number (you must have your photo ID) and then use your bib number to pick up your race shirt, souvenir cinch bag, and Legacy gift, if applicable.
If you’re unable to attend the Expo/Packet Pickup, 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.
IMPORTANT: If you’re unable to attend the Expo/Packet Pickup or send someone in your place to pick up your bib number and race shirt, be sure to add Race Day Packet Pickup ($20) when you register. If you’ve already registered and want to add Race Day Packet Pickup, you can do so here through Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Anyone attempting to pick up their bib number on race day will have to pay $25 for Late Race Day Packet Pickup (cash or Apple Pay preferred). This is an additional fee to pick up your packet on Race Day; items ARE NOT mailed.
Yes, if you’re unable to attend the Expo/Packet Pickup, 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, be sure to add Race Day Packet Pickup ($20) when you register.
If you’ve already registered and want to add Race Day Packet Pickup, you can do so here through Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Anyone attempting to pick up their bib number on race day will have to pay $25 for Late Race Day Packet Pickup (cash or Apple Pay preferred). This is an additional fee to pick up your packet on race day; items ARE NOT mailed.
Yes! There is a 1-hour time limit to complete the 5K. All participants must maintain a 19:21-minute-mile pace or faster throughout the event to meet the time limit.
For the half marathon, there is a strict 3 1/2-hour time limit to complete the race. All participants must maintain a 16:02-minute-per-mile pace or faster throughout the event to meet the time limit. Those unable to maintain the required pace may be asked to use a shuttle to advance on the course or become pedestrians. Please see the specific time cutoffs below:
- Participants who do not reach Liberator Way and Harbor Island Drive by 8:15 AM, will not be permitted to do the Harbor Island section of the course and will instead be directed to continue on the route to the finish line.
- Participants who do not reach San Diego Avenue and Washington Street by 9:35, may be asked to take a shuttle up Washington Street. They may then rejoin the course and proceed to the finish line.
- Participants who have not reached Sixth Avenue and Upus Street by 10:00 AM, will become pedestrians and use the sidewalk on Sixth Ave from Upas St to E Street. From there they may rejoin the course and proceed to the finish line.
The time limit is necessary to ensure the safety of all participants as the public roadways must be opened to normal traffic and closed to participants at specified times. Please do not enter the half marathon or 5K if you do not expect to finish within the designated time limits.
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. All participants must be in their designated start line staging area, prior to the official start time of their race.
To switch between race distances or the virtual and in-person events, please follow these instructions. Switches can be done online through Wednesday, March 17. An upgrade fee will be assessed when switching from the 5K to the half marathon. 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, March 17, you must visit the Solutions table at the Expo/Packet Pickup 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 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 backpacks – $20
Both the Half Marathon and 5K must stage for the start line near the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge at the intersection of Trevor Hoffman Way and Tony Gwynn Drive.
The start line can only be accessed from this staging area via the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge.
The finish line for both the Half Marathon and 5K is near the intersection of 5th Avenue & K Street. See our Key Areas Map here.
There will be a wave start for the half marathon. Your wave number will be printed on your bib number. Make sure to stage in the correct corral.
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.
Yes! Learn more here.
Scams involving bib transfers have become more frequent. Please use the Race Roster platform to initiate all bib transfers, and consider completing the official transfer through Race Roster before exchanging payment for the entry.
Transfers are available until March 17, 2027. During this timeframe, 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 before the deadline. Transfers must be completed by 11:59 PM on March 17, 2027.
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 March 21, 2027. All deferrals must be submitted by March 21, 2027.
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.
Support stations will be positioned throughout the half marathon and 5K courses. Water and portable toilets will be available at or near each support station. In addition, Lemon-Lime Gatorade and GU Strawberry Chews will be available at select stations on the half marathon course. For a complete list of support station locations and the amenities offered, please click here.
Course support will remain in place based on a 3.5-hour finish pace for the half marathon and a 1-hour finish pace for the 5K.
Please help us keep our beautiful city clean by ensuring nothing but your feet touches the ground! Trash, recycling, and organic waste containers are located at every support station and throughout the event venue.
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! The half marathon is run on a certified and sanctioned course. The certification number is CA15087RS.
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.
Overall
Overall awards will be offered to the first three male, female and non-binary finishers of each race.
Half Marathon
Age group awards 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, 80-84, and 85+.
5K
Age group awards 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, 80-84, and 85+.
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. Age group award sliders will be available for pickup from the Information Booth during the windows below. Those who do not pick up their award slider on race day will be emailed instructions for picking up from our office in San Marcos or having it mailed for a small fee. Awards not claimed within two weeks of the event will no longer be available.
5K – 7:45 to 10:30 AM
Half Marathon – 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Half Marathon Team of 10 – 10:00 – 10:30 AM
Note: Awards will be based on net chip time.
There is not an elite athlete program or prize money.
No. The half marathon course crosses the San Diego Trolley tracks at 6th Avenue & C Street at approximately 12.4 miles. The 5K crosses the trolley tracks at the intersection of Kettner & G Street at mile 2.
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.
PLEASE OBEY THE DIRECTIONS OF THE TROLLEY PERSONNEL STATIONED AT THE CROSSINGS AND DO NOT CROSS THE TROLLEY TRACKS IF THE GATES ARE DOWN – you will be disqualified.
Though we love animals, dogs or pets of any kind except for service animals are not allowed at the race or the Expo/Packet Pickup.
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.
Due to safety concerns on the course, racing chairs and handcycles are not permitted on the Half Marathon or 5K course.
Due to narrow sections of the course and access to the start line via a small elevator, only single-wide strollers are allowed on the half marathon and 5K course.
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.
Yes, you can add the race photo package through FinisherPix here on or before Friday, March 19, 2027.
Yes, you can purchase Race Day Packet Pickup here on or before Friday, March 19, 2027.
Yes, you can purchase a gear check locker* here on or before Friday, March 19, 2027.
*5K participants – Please note that drop off is in the half marathon staging area, and gear will not be available for pick up at the Finish Line Festival until approximately 7:30 AM.