Final Event Instructions

For the 2026 event, Packet Pickup will take place at Margaritaville San Diego!

Margaritaville San Diego – enter through the main lobby and follow directional signage
435 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

Parking for the Packet Pickup is available throughout downtown in paid lots and paid street parking. Visit our Parking and Directions page for more information. 

PACKET PICKUP

You are strongly encouraged to attend the Packet Pickup event to collect your bib number, race shirt, grocery bag, and Half Marathon Legacy gift (if applicable). Please be prepared to show a photo ID when claiming your bib.

Look up your bib number here.

If someone else is picking up your packet on your behalf, they must present a photocopy or electronic copy of your photo ID.

Once you arrive at Packet Pickup, follow the directional signage to pick up your bib number first, followed by your shirt and Legacy gift (if applicable).

While you’re there, visit our vendors and sponsors, and shop our line of stylish and affordable official race merchandise.

ON RACE DAY

If you pre-purchased Race Day Packet Pickup during registration, you may pick up your bib number beginning at 5:30 AM at the Bib Pickup Tent in the start line staging area.

NEW THIS YEAR: Both the Half Marathon and 5K will stage for the start line near the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge at the intersection of Trevor Hoffman Way and Tony Gwynn Drive. Use this pin for the staging location. 

See the event area map here.

If you did not pre-purchase Race Day Packet Pickup but still need to pick up your bib on event morning, Late Race Day Packet Pickup will be available for $25 (cash or Apple Pay preferred) at the Bib Pickup Tent.

Race day shirt and Half Marathon Legacy gift pickup will open at 6:00 AM in the Finish Line Area on K Street in front of the Hilton Gaslamp.

Join the wear blue Circle of Remembrance to honor the service and sacrifice of the American military. Then, run in remembrance – request your Hero Match to receive the name of a fallen service member to honor on race day.

Gather at the staging area, under the large digital billboard, between 6:00 AM and 6:20 AM.

The Circle of Remembrance will begin at 6:30 AM just ahead of the Half Marathon start.

View Map

There is no designated race day parking for the event.

Parking is available throughout downtown in paid parking lots and metered street parking. We recommend reviewing our Parking and Directions page in advance to plan your race day parking.

See our helpful Event Key Areas map here. 

NEW THIS YEAR: 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. Please use this pin for the staging location.

The start line can only be accessed from this staging area via the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge. 

The staging area will include race-day bib pickup, portable restrooms, water, and paid gear check lockers.

The 5K begins promptly at 6:30 AM. From the staging area, proceed across the pedestrian bridge to the 5K corral, located directly behind the start line arch.

The Half Marathon begins at 6:50 AM and uses a wave start. The first wave starts at 6:50 AM, with each subsequent wave starting approximately three to four minutes apart. Your assigned wave number will be printed on your bib. From the staging area, proceed across the pedestrian bridge to your assigned corral. Please be in your wave and ready to start no later than 6:50 AM.

Please visit the Directions and Parking page and familiarize yourself with the Event Key Areas map before event day. 

The finish line for both races is at the intersection of 5th Avenue & K Street. 

After you finish, you’ll receive your medal, aluminum-bottled In Motion water, your Finish Line Food Bag filled with refueling foods, and a cold carton of Hollandia Dairy Chocolate Milk. Keep moving through the finish line until you have completely exited the fenced-in area, where you can reunite with your family and friends.

See the Finish line on the Event Key Areas map here. 

You can pick up your bib, shirt, grocery bag, medal, and Half Marathon Legacy gift, if applicable, at the Packet Pickup event. 

Virtual packets not picked up at the Packet Pickup will be mailed to the address used during registration within a few weeks following the event. You can confirm your address by visiting your Race Roster Participant Dashboard. If you need to make any changes, click on “Edit Registration” and update your address under “Personal Information”.

All virtual participants are invited to submit their time online, but those completing the SoCal Triple Crown MUST submit their results online by May 31. To submit virtual results, follow the instructions emailed to you during race week. 

For more information on our virtual event, click here. 

Your exclusive, one-day pass to the Columbia Employee Store will be provided to you when you pick up your bib number. The pass will allow you access to their Carlsbad company employee store though 5/3/26. Enjoy special Employee pricing; up to 50% off retail prices on products from Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna, including the latest outerwear, sportswear, footwear, sleeping bags, and tents for the whole family. See pass for more details. 

Click here to see upcoming events and awesome deals in your GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K Virtual Goody Bag!

Due to safety concerns on the course, racing chairs and handcycles are not permitted on the half marathon or 5K course. 

Pacers provided by On Pace will be running a steady pace throughout the race so their pace group can finish in one of the following target times (times are subject to change):

1:20, 1:25, 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 2:50, 3:00 and 3:15

Look for your pacer holding their pace sign in your designated start line corral.

Please note: besides the clock at the finish line, there are no additional clocks or timers on the course.

Cyclists, skaters, unofficial pacers, and unregistered runners/walkers are not allowed anywhere on the course. These rules are in place for safety and will be enforced by the San Diego Police Department and course officials. 

Paid gear check will be available through Mobile Locker. If you didn’t purchase a locker during registration and would like to purchase one before event day, you can do so online here through Friday, March 20. Lockers will also be available for purchase in person on race morning.

Pre-race, the Mobile Locker truck will be in the start line staging area. After the race, gear will be available for pickup from the Mobile Locker truck near the intersection of 4th Avenue & K Street between 7:30* to 10:30 AM.

See our Event Key Areas map here for gear check drop-off location and to plan your morning accordingly. 

*5K participants – Please note that gear will not be available for pick up until approximately 7:30 AM. 

5K
There is a 1-hour time limit to complete the 5K. All 5K participants must maintain a pace of 19:21 minutes per mile or faster throughout the event to meet the time limit.

Half Marathon
There is a strict 3 1/2-hour time limit to complete the half marathon. All half marathon 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 cutoff times 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.
• Participants who do not reach San Diego Avenue and Washington Street by 9:35 AM 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 6th Avenue and Upas Street by 10:00 AM will become pedestrians and must use the sidewalk on 6th Avenue from Upas Street to E Street. From there, they may rejoin the course and proceed to the finish line.

Most of the course shares the road with vehicular traffic. Be aware of your surroundings and always remain inside the designated runner lanes.  

Additionally, some sections are narrow or on sidewalks. Please be mindful of other runners and move to the right to allow faster runners to pass on the left.

The course crosses the trolley tracks at the following locations:

5K – Kettner Boulevard and G Street

Half Marathon – 6th Avenue and C Street 

DO NOT CROSS THE TROLLEY TRACKS IF THE GATES ARE DOWN OR IF INSTRUCTED TO STOP BY EVENT PERSONNEL. Times are not adjusted for trolley stops. 

A medical tent will be located on the half marathon course at University Avenue and Hawk Street, at the finish line, and in the Finish Line Festival. If you experience a non-emergency medical issue on the course, go to the nearest support station for assistance. For emergencies, call 911. Race Guards will also be on course for medical assistance.

If you cannot finish the race, transportation to the finish line can be arranged for you from all support stations.

All Half Marathon Legacy runners are invited to stop by the Legacy Zone in the Finish Line Festival, where we’ll have extra goodies waiting!

Participants who have reached 10 stars or more are also invited to enter the Legacy Club, where they’ll receive their special Legacy Club medal, enjoy a dedicated photo opportunity, and more.

To enter the Legacy Zone, please present your bib number displaying your Legacy stars. Please note that access to the Legacy Zone and Legacy Club is limited to eligible Legacy runners only; guests are not permitted.

After your race, take advantage of these awesome deals at local San Diego Gaslamp restaurants just by displaying your race bib number. 

The back of your bib number will have a white strip, which is your timing device and should not be removed.

We offer live tracking so friends and family can follow your race. On race day, look for the live tracking link here.

Results will be available at the Results Tent in the Finish Line Festival and online after the race here. 

FinisherPix will have photographers on the course and at the finish line taking official photos. Participant photos will be available here within a few days of the event. 

If you pre-ordered a photo and/or video package during registration, FinisherPix will email you a download link directly within 24-48 hours of the event. If you do not receive the link, please contact FinisherPix at [email protected]. Make sure to check your spam or junk folders as well. 

There will not be an awards ceremony. Age group and overall award silders will be available for pickup from the Information Tent in the festival area, at the following times:

5K – 7:45 AM to 10:30 AM
Half Marathon – 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Half Marathon Team of 10 or more – 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Winners who do not pick up their award slider on race day will be emailed instructions for pick up from our office in San Marcos or have it mailed for a small fee. Awards not claimed within two weeks of the event will no longer be available. 

For more information about the age group award categories, click here. 

Check out our spectator guide here!

Email [email protected] or visit the Information Booth at Packet Pickup.