Final Event Instructions
**Event takes place rain or shine**
COMPOSTABLE CUPS - NEW THIS YEAR
All on-course cups, for both water and Gatorade, are compostable. Please help us keep the course clean by disposing of your cups in the designated organic compost bins provided on the course.
Event Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 21
12 to 4 PM – Expo/Packet Pickup
Saturday, March 22
10 AM to 4 PM – Expo/Packet Pickup
Sunday, March 23
6:30 AM – 5K Start
6:50 AM – Half Marathon Start
Expo/Packet Pickup Location
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp
401 K Street – Second-Floor Outdoor Terrace
San Diego, CA 92101
Parking for the Expo/Packet Pickup is available throughout downtown in paid lots and paid street parking. Visit our Parking and Directions page for more information.
Bib, Shirt, Grocery Bag, and Half Marathon Legacy Perk Pickup
You are strongly encouraged to attend the Expo/Packet Pickup to pick up your bib number, shirt, grocery bag, and half marathon Legacy perks if applicable. Be prepared to show a photo ID to claim your bib number. Look up your bib number here.
If you cannot pick up your packet and someone is picking it up for you, they must present a photocopy or electronic copy of your photo ID.
Once at the Expo/Packet Pickup, pick up your bib number and follow event signage to your appropriate shirt pickup area. Half marathon Legacy runners, make sure to follow the event signage to your correct shirt and perk pickup area at the back of the Hilton Terrace. Please note that while we will do all we can to ensure you receive the shirt size you requested, we cannot make any guarantees.
At the Expo/Packet Pickup, be sure to visit the vendors and shop our line of stylish and affordable race merchandise.
ON RACE DAY
If you pre-purchased Race Day Packet Pickup during registration, you can pick up your bib number beginning at 5:30 AM from the Bib Pickup tent in your designated staging area:
Half Marathon – in the Petco Park Lexus Premier parking lot
5K – at the corner of L Street & 5th Avenue
If you did not pre-purchase but need to pick up your bib on event day, Late Race Day Packet Pickup will be available for $25 (cash only) at your appropriate Bib Pickup tent.
Race day shirt and half marathon Legacy perk pickup will open at 6 AM in the Hilton Gaslamp Ballroom, located on the second-floor outdoor terrace of the hotel.
Race Day Parking
There is no designated race day parking.
Parking is available throughout downtown in paid lots and street parking. Visit our Parking and Directions page today, and make a race day parking plan.
See our helpful Event Key Areas map here.
Half Marathon Pre-Race Staging & Start Line Corrals
The pre-race staging area for the half marathon is in the Petco Park Lexus Premier parking lot*. This area will have portable restrooms, water, Mobile Locker gear check, and race day bib pickup. The start line is accessed ONLY from this area via the pedestrian bridge over Harbor Drive.
The race will be started in five waves. The first wave will start at 6:50 AM, and each wave thereafter will be separated by approximately three to four minutes. Your assigned wave number will be printed on your bib number. Be sure to be in your wave and ready to start the race 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.
*There is currently construction happening around the Lexus Premier lot on both Park Blvd and Imperial Avenue. The Lexus Premier lot is still accessible via the entrance on the west side of the lot under the pedestrian bridge, from Imperial and 12th, and the crosswalk at Imperial and Park.
5K Pre-Race Staging & Start Line Corral
The 5K start line staging area is at the corner of L Street and 5th Avenue. This area will have portable restrooms, water, and race day bib pickup. The start line is accessed ONLY from 5th Avenue and Harbor Drive. The 5K starts before the half marathon, so the 5K start line corral is the first one immediately behind the start line.
Please visit the Directions and Parking page and familiarize yourself with the Event Key Areas map before event day.
Finish Line
The finish line for both races is at the intersection of 5th Avenue & K Street.
After you finish, you’ll receive your medal, a canned 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.
DISCARDED CLOTHING AND COURSE TRASH
Look for trash, recycling, and organic waste containers at every water station, with additional containers located between stations for cups, gel packs, and anything else you need to dispose of. If you must discard any clothing items during your race, do so only in available trash cans or at water stations. All collected items will be donated to local shelters.
NEW THIS YEAR – ALL COURSE CUPS, GATORADE AND WATER, ARE COMPOSTABLE. MAKE SURE TO DISPOSE OF YOUR CUPS IN THE ORGANIC BINS PROVIDED ON COURSE.
Organics/Recycling/Trash
We will have organics, recycling, and trash bins throughout the event site. Please familiarize yourself with which items go in which bin:
Organics – Food waste, food-soiled parchment paper, paper towels, and napkin. New this year – on-course cups!
Recyclables – Aluminum and steel bottles and cans, aluminum foil and trays, glass bottles and jars, boxes and cardboard, paper, food, and beverage cartons
Trash – Everything else
Virtual Runners
You can pick up your bib, shirt, grocery bag, medal and half marathon Legacy perks if applicable at our Expo/Packet Pickup.
Virtual packets not picked up at the Expo/Packet Pickup will be mailed to the address used during registration within a few weeks following the event.
All virtual runners are invited to submit their time online, but those completing the San Diego Foundation SoCal Triple Crown MUST submit their results online by May 31. To submit virtual results follow the instructions emailed to you directly from Race Roster.
For more information on our virtual event, click here.
COLUMBIA EMPLOYEE STORE ONE-DAY PASS
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. 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.
Virtual Goody Bag
Click here to see upcoming events and awesome deals in your GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K Virtual Goody Bag!
RACING CHAIRS AND HANDCYCLES
Due to safety concerns on the course, racing chairs and handcycles are not permitted on the half marathon or 5K course.
Half Marathon Pace Groups
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 their designated corral at the start line.
Please note: besides the clock at the finish line, there are no additional clocks or timers on the course.
ASSISTANCE, UNOFFICIAL PACING
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.
Switching Between Events
To switch between race distances or the virtual and in-person events, please follow these instructions. Switches can be done online through Wednesday, March 19. 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, March 19 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 support@raceroster.com.
Gear Check
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 21. After Friday, you can purchase them online here or in-person on event morning.
For pre-race drop-off, the Mobile Locker truck will be in the half marathon staging area in the Lexus Premier lot. After the race, gear will be available for pickup from the Mobile Locker truck near the intersection of 4th Avenue & K Street until 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 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.
COURSE TIME LIMITS
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 & 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 & Upas Street by 10:00 AM, will become pedestrians and use the sidewalk on 6th Ave from Upas Street to E Street. From there they may rejoin the course and proceed to the finish line.
5K
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.
Course Support Stations
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. See the course map showing support stations here.
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.
IMPORTANT COURSE DETAILS
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 Boulvevard 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.
MEDICAL SUPPORT
A medical tent will be located on the half marathon course at University Avenue & Hawk Street, in the finish line, and in the Finish Line Festival. If you experience a medical issue on the course, go to the nearest water station for assistance, or for emergencies, call 911. Race Guards will be throughout the course, flag them down if you need help. If you cannot finish the race, transportation to the finish line can be called for you from all water stations.
Legacy Zone
All half marathon Legacy runners are invited to stop by the Legacy Zone in the Finish Line Festival, where we’ll have some extra goodies for all Legacy runners and a special photo op and medal for our Legacy Club members (10-stars and up!) To enter the Legacy Zone, you’ll need to present your bib number featuring your Legacy stars.
Race Day Gaslamp Merchant Specials
After your race, take advantage of these awesome deals at local San Diego Gaslamp restaurants just by displaying your race bib number.
Timing, Live Tracking & Race Results
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.
OFFICIAL EVENT PHOTOS
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 support@finisherpix.com. Make sure to check your spam or junk folders as well.
AWARDS
There will not be an awards ceremony. Age group and overall award silders will be available for pickup from the Information Tent in the Finish Line Festival, 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 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.
Spectator Guide
Check out our spectator guide here!
QUESTIONS?
Email info@inmotionevents.com or visit the Information Booth at the Expo/Packet Pickup.